‘CROSS-COMMUNITY HARVEST FOR CHATEAU DE LA LIGNE’

On 5th October 2008, 20 students from St. Patrick’s College, ‘Bearnageeha’ in North Belfast and Ashfield Boys High School in East Belfast made their way to Château de La Ligne in Bordeaux to help create Cuvee Prestige 2010. A cross-community work experience with a difference, the 20 schoolboys were welcomed at Chateau de La Ligne to hand pick the grapes and discover the French culture. Terry Cross, Belfast business man and owner of the Chateau is delighted with the success of the project “The boys realised that they are all the same, no matter their religion. This year, they bonded extremely well and have even organised to see each other on other occasions. They have now created friends for life!” he said. The boys worked full days in the vineyard alongside French professionals and gained valuable experience and understanding of the meaning of hard work. On their last Friday, the boys mixed with French students in a state agricultural college, specialising in wine – La Tour Blanche. Our Belfast Boys stuffed the French students at matches of both Hurling and Shinty. A great experience, not only for our Belfast boys but also for the French students who are looking for their revenge next year.  PJ O’Grady, headmaster of St Patrick says “Terry’s generosity not only helped the students realise that there are no difference between them but also that you have to work hard to achieve your goals. For some of these boys, it was the chance of a lifetime and all the students are very grateful. Terry’s success is a great example for them.”

Château de La Ligne planted 11 hectares of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes and has been producing a Bordeaux Superieur red wine for the last 5 years with the help of celebrated Bordeaux oenologist Gilles Pauquet who is also the oenologist for Château Cheval Blanc, Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru.  Chateau de La Ligne has won a number of medals in prestigious wine competitions in France.  The 2003 vintage won a Silver Medal at the Concours General Agricole de Paris in 2005 and the 2004 vintage won a Gold Medal in the Concours General Agricole d’Aquitaine in 2006 and a Silver Medal in the Vinalies Internationales de Paris in 2006. The 2006 has been awarded a Bronze Medal at the Concours General Agricole d’Aquitaine this year. The wine is sold through Hollywood & Donnelly and is available in all good off licences and restaurants.

Friday 19th October 2007

‘Bumper Harvest for Château de La Ligne’

Château de La Ligne in Bordeaux, produced exceptional yields this year for Belfast man Terry Cross. The Château finished its fourth harvest at the end of the first week of October and Terry Cross said “for the first time since planting in 2002 we have reached the full quota, I am delighted with the yield this year now that the vines have reached full maturity, not only have we reached the full quantity but we have combined this with improved quality.”

To help hand pick the grapes this year, Château de La Ligne hosted a cross community project with schoolboys from two Belfast schools, St. Patrick’s College, ‘Bearnageeha’ in North Belfast and Ashfield Boys High School in East Belfast. Four teachers travelled with the 16 and 17 year old boys and supervised them throughout the week “the opportunity given to our boys was not only innovative, it was the first time that school work experience extended to mainland Europe and the cross community dimension has been very positive. This is real empowerment for these young boys.” said PJ O’Grady, Headmaster of St. Patrick’s College, ‘Bearnageeha’. The boys worked alongside a team of French workers and stayed at the Château.

Château de La Ligne planted 11 hectares of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc red grapes and has been producing a Bordeaux Superieur red wine for the last 4 years. It has been sold locally in Northern Ireland for the last 2 years by Hollywood & Donnelly “Château de La Ligne wine has steadily gained a loyal following in Northern Ireland with a reputation for good quality at an affordable price” said Alan O’Neill, Wine Manager for Hollywood & Donnelly. Château de La Ligne uses the expertise of celebrated Bordeaux oenologist Gilles Pauquet who is also the oenologist for Château Cheval Blanc, Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru and have won a number of medals in prestigious wine competitions in France. The 2003 vintage won a Silver Medal at the Concours General Agricole de Paris in 2005 and the 2004 vintage won a Gold Medal in the Concours General Agricole d’Aquitaine in 2006 and a Silver Medal in the Vinalies Internationales de Paris in 2006. “2005 as everyone knows, was an excellent year for wine in Bordeaux and we were no exception, we are absolutely delighted with the quality of the 2005 vintage” said Terry Cross.