Kwok buys third Bordeaux estate

Taiwanese businessman Peter Kwok has bought a third estate in Saint Emilion to ensure each of his three children inherit a winery.

Kwok’s latest purchase is Château La Patache in Pomerol, which closely follows his acquisition of Château Tour Saint Christophe at the end of last year, although his first foray into Saint Emilion was back in 1997 when he bought Château Haut-Brisson.

According to Aline Trezieres, business manager at Château Haut-Brisson, Kwok was the first Chinese investor in Saint Emilion, and has expanded the Haut-Brisson estate with the purchase of three further hectares in 2010, to take the total vineyard area up to 16ha.

He has also converted the estate to organic viticulture, with certification achieved in time for the 2010 vintage.

Trezieres told db that within the last “few weeks” Kwok has bought both an estate in both Saint Christophe des Bardes and Pomerol because he wanted each of his three children to have a property in Bordeaux.

Château Haut-Brisson is currently being part-managed by Kwok’s eldest daughter, Elaine, aged 32, while the 17 hectare Château Tour Saint Christophe, which was previously owned by Castel, will pass to Karen, aged 27, while Château La Patache has been secured for Howard, aged 24.

Kwok splits his time between Hong Kong and the US, although Trezieres said he visits Saint Emilion every two months and loves French culture.