1821
Born in Alsace, Mr Louis Eschenauer had recently moved to Bordeaux and began trading in wine.
1835
The company prospered and became Eschenauer, Benecke & Compagnie
1863
Frédéric Eschenauer succeeded his father and took on his son Louis as an associate, like his illustrious grandfather, and also his son-in-law, Louis Lung.
1870
Louis Eschenauer, the first to bear the name, retired definitively from the business.
1874
The company entered a partnership with Mr Alexandre Wachter and became Eschenauer & Compagnie. Under the dynamic guidance of Frédéric Eschenauer, it earned its place as one of the most important Bordeaux wine merchants, a place it still occupies today.
1875 – 1899
Frédéric Eschenauer was unanimously recognised for his expertise in wine. His taste and recommendations later served to define the standards for Bordeaux wines. In the Bordeaux wine trade, many would wait until he bought a vintage before they themselves ordered the same. So, Frédéric Eschenauer was always one step ahead of his competitors and could acquire large quantities of wine that he had identified as possible award winners, substantially increasing its value. This is how the company climbed the ladder to the highest level on the Bordeaux wine marketplace.
1899
Frédéric Eschenauer died. His two successors remained faithful to the traditions and values that had ensured the company’s success.
During this period, Wine Merchants Eschenauer & Compagnie prospered thanks to the business ethics that were already strong company values under Frédéric Eschenauer’s leadership. Louis Eschenauer bought Chateau Camponac, a Graves Premier Cru just opposite the famous Chateau Pape-Clément, whose estate surrounded part of Chateau Camponac’s vineyard. The very famous book entitled “Bordeaux and its wines” described the chateau in these laudatory terms: “The Componac estate, neighbouring Chateau Pape-Clément, was bought in 1875 by Mr Louis Eschenauer. The vineyard, which counts 84,000 vines and covers 5 hectares, is admirably located in the best part of Graves. Since it has become the property of Mr Eschenauer, many improvements have been made in how the vines are tended and in the vinification and it is no surprise that this wine is so highly sought-after.”
1899 – 1913
The estate of Terrefort La Tour de Mons in the district of Soussans in Médoc, located in the former wetlands of the Chateau Marquis de Terme, also belonged by Eschenauer. The vines were planted in Frédéric Eschenauer’s era, with carefully selected grape varieties. They were already producing a greatly appreciated wine.
Later, Eschenauer acquired all the white wine from the Chateau Olivier, a Graves Premier Cru in Léognan. This estate is one of the oldest in the Graves appellation and has always enjoyed a fabulous reputation in England, Germany, Belgium and Holland. Louis Eschenauer’s portfolio also grew with many other prestigious names such as Chateau Rausan-Ségla, Chateau Smith Haut-Lafitte, and also Chateau La Garde. Combined with Eschenauer’s expertise, the reputation of these exceptional estates greatly contributed to the international influence of the family’s wine business.
1913
Louis Lug died. Louis Eschenauer continued his work alone.
Some called Louis Eschenauer, the second to bear the name, the King of Bordeaux, but all spoke highly of his friendliness and warmth that earned him the nickname “Uncle Louis”. Under his governance, the wine business expanded rapidly. The name and reputation of Uncle Louis became synonymous with quality and excellence.
2007
Louis Eschenauer joined the group “Les Grands Chais de France”, rising to new international challenges.
Wines bearing the signature of Louis Eschenauer still, today, remain faithful to the principles that made the company’s reputation: a quest for the highest quality and respect for tradition. Sold in over 90 countries, (link to world map) Louis Eschenauer is proud to offer a complete range of Bordeaux and Pays d’Oc wines that are accessible to all, of great quality and certain to satisfy an increasingly international and demanding clientèle.
