The LIBERAL family ran the property in the early eighteenth century. Wine brokers from father to son, they sold the harvests to the Netherlands and Belgium. Their name adjoining the topographical designation, earned them invitations to the tables of political parties of the same name worldwide. Over time, these connoisseurs gathered the best soils in Pauillac. Thus, this 5th Classified Growth in 1855 now has half of its vineyard adjacent to Chateau Latour and the other half behind Chateau Pichon Baron, on the heights of the »Bages” area, a large plateau, South of Pauillac. In 1960, the Cruse family, owner of Chateau Pontet Canet, another 5th Classified Growth in Pauillac, acquired the estate. The latter was to regain its youth through an extensive program of replanting the vineyard. However, it was in 1983 at the arrival of the Villars family that Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal really recovered its former glory. Today, the property is run by Claire VILLARS LURTON. She undertook an overhaul of the tool of winemaking and has adopted a new approach to the environment. |