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PRESS PACK
LES ABATILLES157 boulevard de la Côte d’Argent
33120 Arcachon
FRANCE
C o n t a c t p r e s s e : H e l l o
+33 (0 )7 85 19 45 18 - con tac t@agencehe l l o . com
CONTENTS
THE ABATILLES STORYp. 01
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLYp. 08
WATER FOR EVERY OCCASSIONp. 10
SUPPLIED TO ALL GOOD RESTAURANTSp. 12
OUR PARTNERSp. 13
GUARANTEED MINERAL CONTENT AND PURITY p. 05
The 1923 discoveryThe spa from 1926 to 1964
Industrialisation from 1961 to today Renewal
Light and naturally pureNo treatment and continuous testing
From distribution to waste management
The Everyday WaterThe Grand Cru Water
Sportsmen and womenWine and good food
Our friends
ARCACHONFrance
Abatilles has a long and fascinating history dating back to the middle 19th century when a local doctor by the name of Periera observed that the Arcachon Basin’s ocean climate, made milder by the area’s pine trees and their resins, was beneficial to those suffering from one of the world’s most virulent diseases of the time, tuberculosis.
Arcachon, today a popular bathing location, is still thought to be beneficial for those with pulmonary complaints. It is located about 35 miles Southwest of the major French city of Bordeaux in the Landes Forest.
After hearing of Dr. Periera’s discovery, brothers Emil and Isaac Pereire (are they related to the doctor in any way?) sensed an opportunity. The Pereires were highly successful businessmen at the time whose interests rivaled those of the famous Rothschild banking and industrialist family.
The Pereires owned the local railway near Arcachon and thousands of nearby acres of the pine forest located on high ground. They began a successful marketing and real estate campaign that attracted many tuberculosis suffers to the area, even the crown heads of Europe.
1923, WATER DISCOVERED
The story of the benefits of the Arcachon Basin to health sufferers took a new direction when in August, 1923 a French engineer, Louis Le Marie, looking for oil, uncovered a large sulfur spring in the Abatilles area of the Arachon Basin.
It turned out to be a major discovery. It was found that the spring produced 18,500 gallons of water per hour shooting to a height of 26 feet. It is one of the top 10 springs in France.
Le Marie named his spring Sainte-Anne after the patron saint of Brittany, where he was born.
An analysis of the spring spearheaded by Le Marie revealed its amazing qualities: low mineral content, zero nitrates and naturally warm.
Bottling the water proved easier than first thought as the natural pressure of the springs made it possible to drive the water directly to the bottling plant Le Marie ultimately would open while keeping its natural properties intact.
The spring was formally certified by the French Academy of Medicine on June 30, 1925, followed by the French State on July 10 of that year.
01
THE ABATILLES STORY
Discovery of the spring in 1923
The kiosk
Patrons travelled from all over the world to enjoy the benefits
of treatments devised around the therapeutic properties of
Abatilles water.
The “Griffon” in 1927
02
THE ABATILLES STORY
THE SPAfrom 1926 to 1964
The chemical analysis for the Academy of Medicine revealed that the spring water had high mineral content, was pure and in perfect balance.
It was because of these results that the newly formed Abatilles Spa Company (STA) decided to build a bottling pavilion, spa facilities and a restaurant. The Spa also planted extensive gardens in which the famous Abatilles kiosk is the focal point.
The venture continued until the beginning of World War II when the ravages and turmoil of war forced its closing for 10 years.
In the 1950s, interest in the spa advanced when the treatments being offered were classi-fied by social security and patients were reimbursed for their treatment costs.
The spa continued to operate until 1964.
INDUSTRIALISATIONfrom 1961 until today
In 1961, Vittel Group acquired STA and ultimately closed the spa three years later, de-ciding to focus it interests on expanding the bottling operation.
Vittel initially sought to diversify production by introducing such new products as sparkling water and sodas, but later re-focused its efforts on the sole production of still mineral water in 1979.
STA changed ownership twice over the coming decades. In 1991, Nestle Waters Group acquired Vittel, which was owned at the time by Perrier. In 2008, STA was acquired by Roger Padois, a local businessman, and his associate, Olivier Betrand.
RENEWAL2013
In 2013, the company was acquired by buyers Jean Merlaut and Herve Maudet.
Merlaut is the owner of Chateau Gruaud Larose in Saint-Julien-Beychevelle, a Bordeaux second growth from the 1855 classification, and of Chateau Malagar that houses the Mauriac cultural center.
Maudet, now acting as Spring General Manager, is the founder of MVines, a wine and spirits merchant working specifically with restaurants.
At the beginning of 2014, the new owners invested in a new French bottling line capable of increasing production capacity from 12,000 to 18,000 bottles an hour. The new line generates less noise, is easier to maintain, as well as other important advantages.
THE ABATILLES STORY
03
Bottling lineLes Abatilles, 1930’s
Advertising showing how fast production increased in the 1920’s
New bottling lineLes Abatilles, 2014
04
THE ABATILLES STORY
LIGHT AND NATURALLY PURE472 meters (1,548 FEET)
Abatilles natural mineral water has been drawn every day for almost a century from a depth of 472 METERS (1,548 FEET) on the Arcachon Basin. This amazing depth, which is quite unique in France acts as a natural geological barrier preventing any type of pollution and especially nitrates from entering the water. Abatilles Mineral Water is one of the few waters in France to boast a nitrate content of zero.
The fact that there is no agriculture and therefore no use of pesticides or chemical fertilisers in the area also explains why the spring is so pure.
The water filters out its excess minerals through the many layers of sand, limestone and clay until it finally emerges.
With its rate of 354 mg/l of dry residue i.e. dissolved salts, it features on the very short list of French waters with low mineral content that are neutral for the body and easy to eliminate, meaning that it has a detoxifying action.
It can therefore be freely drunk every day by all members of your family, especially the more fragile ones.
MINERAL CONTENTCalcium : 19 mg/l
Magnesium : 9 mg/lSodium : 100 mg/lPotassium : 4 mg/lSulphates : 8 mg/l
Bicarbonates : 127 mg/lChlorides : 137 mg/l
Residue at 180°C : 354 mg/l-pH : 8,2
GUARANTEED MINERAL CONTENT AND PURITY
05
SAND
CLAY
CLAY
SANDSTONE
LIMESTONE
(1,548 FEET)
SAND
SAND
DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MINERAL
WATER AND SPRING WATER?
Natural mineral water must guarantee a consistent and stable mineral content. Spring water can vary.
While both come from underground aquifers and undergo no treatment or processing of any kind before being bottled, mineral water must constantly maintain a stable composition in terms of the minerals it contains.
This guarantee of stability and purity is strictly regulated for mineral water and implies running a battery of physical, chemical and microbiological tests on water sampled at different points.
06
GUARANTEED MINERAL CONTENT AND PURITY
NO TREATMENT AND CONTINUOUS
TESTING
Abatilles water with its natural qualities and purity as it rises from the spring undergoes no treatment of any type before bottling.
UNLIKE SPRING WATER, MINERAL WATER MUST GUARANTEE
A CONSISTENT AND STABLE MINERAL CONTENT.
This guarantee of natural stability and purity is strictly regulated and implies running a whole range of physical, chemical and microbiological tests everyday in our laborato-ries on:
. Samples from different points (aquifer, the spring, tanks and taps)
. Starting products (stoppers, preformed PET* bottles, glass bottles) The air blown into the preforms is also regularly checked.
. Finished products in bottles at different times of the day. A reference sample for each production series (2 per day) is stored in the water library for 2 years, which corresponds to the consume-by date.
On top of these internal tests, the public authorities carry out their own.Every month, the regional Health Authority performs its own independent tests in a French Ministry-approved laboratory.
NATURAL MINERAL WATER IS ONE OF THE
MOST TESTED PRODUCTS IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY.
*PET (Polyethylene terephthalate)
07
GUARANTEED MINERAL CONTENT AND PURITY
Nearly 30 people work on site, some of whom are second or third generation. All strive to fulfill the same aim:
to extract, check, bottle and deliver to you a pure mineral water with natural qualities that are identical to those
which flow from the spring.
"RETURN TO NATURE WHAT IT GIVES US"
As a result of its history and because of its position on the shore of the Arcachon Basin, Abatilles Water is especially sensitive to environmental issues.
The company continuously seeks to reduce the impact of its activities on nature.
For several years now it has committed to reducing its overall electricity consumption, which is now down 40% compared to 2008.
Investments have also been made on the wells to reduce the quantities pumped while main-taining the microbiological quality of the water. Today Abatilles only draws 0,01% of the layer.
08
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FROM DISTRIBUTION TO WASTE MANAGEMENT
"MY WATER, MY REGION"
Abatilles water has an identity that is intimately connected with its local region and is defined by the relationship it has with people in Aquitaine. This philosophy is also expressed in the policies governing raw material sourcing and the distribution of our finished products.
In both cases, we strive to reduce the CO2 emitted by our transport operations and seek to contribute fully to local business.
"LET’S DRINK HEALTHY
AND RECYCLE MORE TO LIVE BETTER"
To minimise its environmental footprint, the Abatilles Spring has adopted an eco-responsible charter and has significantly opted to use fully recyclable containers i.e. both bottles and caps.
The Spring also contributes financially to the recycling of PET bottles through the “Eco-emballage” (Ecopackaging) organisation by paying an annual subscription, which is used to fund waste sorting and recycling centres.
09
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FROM DISTRIBUTION TO WASTE MANAGEMENT
Abatilles water means something special and lasting to the people of the Gironde region in France.
It is the region’s premium water from the Arcachon Basin with its open spaces and fresh air
and sense of well-being, purity and good health.
With its rate of 354 mg/l of dry residue i.e. dissolved salts, it has a very low mineral content
and is easily eliminated from the body, meaning that it has a detoxifying action.
It can therefore be freely drunk every day by all members of your family, especially the more
fragile ones.
IT IS AVAILABLE IN TWO DISTINCT RANGES:
THE EVERYDAY WATER
THE GRAND CRU WATER
10
WATER FOR EVERY OCCASION
"THE GRAND CRU WATER"LA BORDELAISE
Still or exquisitely sparkling Abatilles Water in a bordelaise glass bottle is a great favourite for the table.
Its bottle has the elegance of the great Bordeaux wine bottle, “la bordelaise”.
Soft and neutral and exquisitely sparkling if you wish, it enhances all the flavours of your dishes and wines. It is a natural choice for wine connoisseurs and foodies.
NATURAL MINERAL WATER
Still or exquisitely sparkling
Recyclable glass bottles
75cl, 50cl and 33cl sizes
PET bottles1 litre and 50cl sizes
"THE EVERYDAY WATER"YOUR DAILY PARTNER FOR GOOD HEALTH
A family friend who has often shared in your daily life and holiday memories for generations.
NATURAL MINERAL WATER
Still
PET bottles
In 1/2 litre and 50cl
11
WATER FOR EVERY OCCASION
Marrying dishes with good water is essential in fine dining, so Abatilles Water is widely popular for the table.
Many fine restaurants have adopted it:
HOTEL-RESTAURANT CLAUDE DARROZE Langon
One star in the Michelin Guide
LE PATIO Arcachon
One star in the Michelin Guide
LES CLES D’ARGENT Mont de Marsan
One star in the Michelin Guide
RELAIS & CHATEAUX MICHEL TRAMA Puymirol
Two stars in the Michelin Guide
BRASSERIE L IPP Paris
CLUB TF1 Paris
GEORGE V Paris
BELL INI Bordeaux
CAFE FRANÇAIS Bordeaux
CHAPON FIN Bordeaux
COMPTOIR CUISINE Bordeaux
JULIEN CRUÈGE Bordeaux
L’ IBAIA Bordeaux
L’ORLEANS Bordeaux
LA BRASSERIE BORDELAISE Bordeaux
LA GRANDE MAISON Bordeaux
LE BISTROT DU REGENT Bordeaux
LE CARREAU Bordeaux
LE CARRE Bordeaux
12
ABATILLES WATER IN ALL GOOD RESTAURANTS
LE CHIOPOT Bordeaux
LE GABRIEL Bordeaux
CHEZ MARIOTTAT Agen
CHEZ PIERRE Arcachon
LA CO(O)RNICHE Arcachon
LE PATIO Arcachon
AUBERGE EN GASCOGNE Astaffort
L’HOTEL DU PALAIS Biarritz
LE MIRAMAR Biarritz
LE SAINT-JAMES Bouliac
CHEZ BOULAN Cap-Ferret
CHEZ HORTENSE Cap-Ferret
L’ESCALE Cap-Ferret
PINASSE CAFE Cap-Ferret
LA CAPE Cenon
LA FERME AUX GRIVES Eugenie les Bains
PRES D’EUGENIE Eugenie les Bains
LE RESINIER Le Barp
PRINCE NOIR Lormont
CAUDALIE SMITH HAUT-LAFITTE Martillac
CORDEILLAN BAGES Pauillac
HOSTELLERIE DE PLAISANCE Saint-Emilion
LA TERRASSE ROUGE Saint-Emilion
VIEUX LOGIS Tremolat
WINE AND GOOD FOODStill or exquisitely sparkling Abatilles Water in a bordelaise glass bottle is a great favourite for the table. The shape of the bottle is reminiscent of the great Bordeaux wine bottle, “la bordelaise”. All the water’s qualities have made it an uncontested partner of many winegrowing organisations and events, and gastronomic events.
SPORTSMEN AND WOMENAbatilles Mineral Water is the regional water from the Arcachon Basin with its open spaces and fresh air, and sense of well-being, purity and good health.
All sports require proper hydration.
We strive to build close relationships with both amateur and professional athletes, especially with the large family represented by our local sporting organisations. We have a long-standing partnership with Union Bordeaux Bègles rugby and more recent ones with Girondins de Bordeaux soccer club, the Bordeaux Stadium and the Bor-deaux Metropole night marathon.
AND OUR FRIENDS
13
OUR PARTNERS