22.11.2003: 2. Halfdan Birkedal Hartmann

In 1887, Halfdan Birkedal Hartmann moved to Cognac to try his luck. He started the companies Birkedal Hartmann and Hartmann Fils et Freres. Halfdan gained great success with his products and was quickly accepted by the french/british families established in Cognac for many years. He was also very interested in wine so in 1892, he moved from Cognac to Bordeaux and settled his offices, Quai des Chartrons, the heart of the wine trade. In a very short period of time, Birkedal Hartmann became one of the major wine companies in Bordeaux. Obviously, his interest for Cognac decreased even thought there were still strong links with the Cognac office. All the greatest "Châteaux" were bottled by and sold under Birkedal Hartmann labels, Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild og Château Margaux, Champage, Vermouth, Rhum, Whisky and even olive oil. At that time, Birkedal Hartmann was known all over the world and our cognac and brandies very much appreciated in North and South America.

In 1902, Halfdan Birkedal Hartmann, as he now named himself, was appointed Swedish-Norwegian Consul in Bordeaux. In 1905, when both countries separated, he became Norwegian Consul. Halfdan was of course member of the Scandinavian Cognac Society and in 1927, he is appointed by the King, Commander in the Order of St Olav.

Rolf studied in Lausanne (Switzerland), got married in the i USA og travelled back to Norway. Else married Marc Schrøder Schyler, from the known company Schrøder og Schyler from Bordeaux, who owns Chateau Kirwan i Margaux. Edith married Jacques Faure, officer in the french army.