Chateau Bernadotte takes its name from a previous owner, Marshal Bernadotte, who had connections to royalty. Marshal Bernadotte was appointed the Sovereign Prince by Napoleon I. However, the vineyard was not always known as Bernadotte. In fact, that name is quite recent. Prior to 1997, the estate was known as Chateau Fournas.
The name was changed in 1997 when what we know of as Chateau Bernadotte was purchased by Madame de Lencquesaing from Curt Eklund. Curt Eklund acquired the estate in 1973, along with 10 hectares of vines in Pauillac.
This was not the first vineyard that was managed by de Lencquesaing. May Eliane de Lencquesaing was already quite experienced in Bordeaux by that time as she was the owner of Chateau Pichon Lalande in Pauillac.
The following year after taking over the estate, two things took place. The 10 hectares of vines that came with the deal were integrated into Pichon Lalande. Next, May Eliane de Lencquesaing ordered a complete renovation of Chateau Bernadotte.
The entire property was rebuilt from top to bottom. The Chateau, vat rooms, grape reception area, and cellars were all modernized. In the vat rooms, they increased the number of vats to 23. This allowed Chateau Bernadotte to vinify in thermoregulated vats on a parcel by parcel basis for the first time.
The vineyards also received extensive improvements and replanting of several parcels. The amount of Merlot planted in the vineyards was also increased from 36% to 44%, which helped soften and round out the wine.
