Historia
Château Bernadotte is originally a charming 19th century residence, built in 1860. A classic and opulent mansion that exhibits its beautiful roadside facade in the hamlet of Fournas, in the town of Saint-Sauveur. The estate takes its name from Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, who was well-esteemed military talent of Napoleon Bonaparte and a Minister of War by the end of 18th century. He became governer of Hanseatic League and was so well-respected in Sweden that he was in 1810 asked to become the King of Norway and Sweden as the heir-presumptive to the childless King Charles XIII. After getting Napoleon's approval he was elected the king and named as King Charles XIV.
The estate was acquired in 1973 by Swedish industrialist, Curt Eklund, whose ambition was to make it a prestigious estate in Haut-Médoc. He renovated the property – bought vineyards and built a new cellar with new vats and barrels and modern equipment for the time. He named the estate as Château Le Fournas Bernadotte after its origin area 'Le Fournas' and respect of Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, the former King of Sweden.
In 1997, Eklund sold his property to Madame May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, the owner of esteemed Second Growth estate Château Pichon-Loungueville Comtesse de Lalande. Under the new classified growth estate ownership it experienced a new boom and new name – Château Bernadotte. The entire property was rebuilt from top to bottom. The chateau, vat rooms, grape reception area and cellars were modernized. Adding more vats to cellar allowed Chateau Bernadotte to vinify in thermoregulated vats on a parcel by parcel basis for the first time. The goal of Madame de Lencquesaing, was to extend the range of its wines by taking back this Cru Bourgeois close to Second Grand Cru Classé.
In 2007, the Rouzauds, the owners of Champagne House Louis Roederer acquired Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and Château Bernadotte. The Rouzauds continued investing in the property by doing renovations in the vineyards by regrouping plots and carrying out new plantations.
At the end of 2012, The Rouzaud family sold Château Bernadotte to Antares Cheng, the Chairman of King Power Group in Hong Kong. He entrusted Bernadotte's team with the renovation and investment needed to enhance the quality of the terroir and contribute to the development of the estate.
King Power Group operates across food and beverage, property investment and leasing, leisure and health services, manufacturing, sports, leisure and health services, brand ownership and retail services. Its activies include more than 500 retail outlets worldwide, and is a leader in duty free stores.