The wine vocation of Hannetot dates back the 18th century. The domain enters Xavier Beaumartin’s family in the 30s. Hannetot then used to produce a simple wine for local customers.
After an industrial career Xavier Beaumartin took over the head of Hannetot in 2006. He chose to give a new perspective to the 4-hectare vineyard with a motto: express this beautiful terroir sincerely with a pure and uncompromised wine.
Xavier Beaumartin built over the cellars and changed the farming methods. Château Hannetot implements integrated farming depending on parasite pressure. Draining of the plots, planting according to the nature of the soils, manual works from pruning until harvest, the Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are free to develop soundly. The variety of the soils at Hannetot led it to be nicknamed ‘the most Burgundy-like Pessac-Léognan’. Clay, limestone and gravels provide a beautiful richness of expression.
Vinification is soft to respect the grapes. For ageing the choice has been to mark the wine with only a little woodiness in order to respect the purity nature has give to the grapes. Hannetot enologist Serge Charritte says that Hannetot is inspiring. This is enough to imagine the poetry to be found in the glass.
The wines of Hannetot promise pleasure and quality. The extreme care given to the vineyard is felt in the elegance of the wines. Château Hannetot proposes to discover Pessac-Leognan wines from a different angle.
Sylvia van der Velden
Xavier Beaumartin & Château Laroque
Before watching over the fate of Château Hannetot, Xavier Beaumartin already took over the management of Château Laroque, classed Grand Cru of Saint-Emilion, with great ambitions in 2004. This 61-hectare wine estate has now regained its splendour and prestige of the XVIIth century.