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Based in Bordeaux since the early 18th century, the Johnston family is one of the great names in Bordeaux wine history.
A very long family tradition...
In 1734, William Johnston, of Scottish descent, created the firm of "Nathaniel Johnston & Fils" in Bordeaux. This company was initially involved with shipping goods on a commission basis, but bought cellars and began ageing "New French Claret" a few decades later.
However, it was not until the 19th century that the Maison Johnston underwent major expansion. By 1804, the cellars extended over 15,000 m2 and was able to hold 25,000 barrels and 2 million bottles of wine! In 1840, Nathaniel Johnston & Fils became part owners of Château Latour. They acquired Château Ducru-Beaucaillou and Château Dauzac in 1865.
During the Second Empire, Nathaniel Johnston & Fils shipped wines to England, North & South America, Canada and imperial Russia. Export figures reached a record high of 1 million pounds sterling in 1876. The onset of phylloxera and mildew heralded the beginning of a long period of recession tainted by economic crises and wars. This led to the collapse of prices and markets.
It was not until the early 1950s that a lasting recovery took place. Nathaniel Johnston's business has not looked back since, thanks to hard work, perseverance and the sup- port of loyal clients and owners. Nathaniel's two sons, Denis and Archibald, entered the firm in the 1970s.
They have since taken over from their father, and were recently joined by their younger brother, Ivanhoe. Two and a half centuries after the company was founded, the three brothers embody the family's passion for fine wine. They are still in pursuit of the same goals: to sell and promote quality wines to major importers, as well as to large companies and faithful private customers in France.
A strict quality control policy
Nathaniel Johnston & Fils are located at the heart of the famous Chartrons district, the historic centre of the Bordeaux wine trade. The premises have a slightly conservative yet reassuring feel to them. They reflect rock-solid family traditions that go back a very long way.
"We are highly committed to traditional values as regards everything to do with the true spirit of wine. However, this is in no way contradictory with a modern, innovative approach when it comes to commercial matters or viticultural and winemaking techniques," explains Archibald Johnston.
The Johnston family policy has always been to focus on quality production, essentially top of the range wines. All wines that are aged and stored in their cellars have been through a very strict selection process, based on frequent tastings.
Nathaniel Johnston & Fils specialise in a complete range of classified growths, but also offer a range of other, less exalted, château wines providing consistently reliable quality. The firm's close relationship with châteaux is built on the trust that comes from working together year after year. Maison Johnston regularly monitors the wines it sells: they frequently visit wine estates, oversee quality during the harvest, and often hold comparative tastings.
This quality-oriented approach is also applied to generic wines and vins de table, that must meet extremely strict criteria. The company's excellent production facilities enable them to age and bottle their own brands.
A sense of trust and loyalty
The relationship between Maison Johnston and their customers is based on trust and a long-term commitment. The core group of very loyal, private customers in France enables the firm to test market new wines that they have selected. Private customers account for 10% of French sales. The remainder is sold to large firms.
There are no private customers on export markets, where Nathaniel Johnston & Fils deal primarily with major importers.
All of these foreign firms have a long-established reputation for professionalism and work very hard to distribute Bordeaux wines.
Exports account for 55 to 65% of' turnover. Major markets include Great Britain, Switzerland and the United States. One U.S. importer is the chief supplier to the White House. The company also ships to Canada, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Germany and Asia.
This world-wide presence comes from a successful blend of tradition and innovation. Nathaniel Johnston & Fils have developed their own special corporate spirit and a style that is perfectly suited to the traditional world of Bordeaux wines.
This is undoubtedly the key to their success, which somehow manages to defy time.
