History
CLARENDELLE, INSPIRED BY HAUT-BRION
Mr Clarence Dillon, an eminent American financier, visited Bordeaux in 1934. He fell under the spell of Château Haut-Brion and recognized the unique opportunity of acquiring such a legendary estate: he had discovered a precious jewel waiting to shine once again.
Although famous for centuries, Haut-Brion was going through difficult times. Mr Clarence Dillon purchased the estate in 1935 and this was the beginning of his family’s long commitment and dedication to this famous château, as well as to the wines of Bordeaux.
Every improvement and innovation since then has been guided by a love of perfection, and Château Haut-Brion has remained worthy of its noble heritage thanks to the men and women responsible for implementing them.
In 1983, the Dillon family also acquired the neighboring estate, Château La Mission Haut-Brion. Since the 2011 vintage, the company is also proud to represent one of the finest wines from Saint Émilion: Château Quintus.
Today, Domaine Clarence Dillon, has the unique privilege of producing five rare and exceptional estate wines of unequalled reputation as well as their second wines. Domaine Clarence Dillon’s expertise, founded on five centuries of history, is reflected in every wine produced by the estate.
In 2005, seventy years after Clarence Dillon’s arrival, his great-grandson, Prince Robert de Luxembourg, began writing a new chapter of the Dillon family’s history by establishing Clarence Dillon Wines to produce and sell the first premium brand wine in Bordeaux: “Clarendelle”.
Inspired by Clarence Dillon’s name, Clarendelle’s mission is to pursue the heritage of perfection left by this great man and it is a tribute to the first member of the family to settle in Bordeaux.
Through the creation of Clarendelle, Clarence Dillon Wines and Domaine Clarence Dillon wish to shed a new light on the tremendous potential and savoir faire of this region, that have made it a benchmark for the entire world. With this outstanding terroir, passionate and qualified men and women, and an expertise handed down over centuries, all the necessary ingredients were there for the creation of a top-end Bordeaux brand.