Château Lafite Rothschild

History

Château Lafite Rothschild has a rich history dating back to 1234, when it was owned by Gombaud de Lafite. Although the property was not in the Bordeaux wine business at that time, it is believed that some vines were planted on its unique terroir. The estate's vineyards were primarily established around 1680 by Jacques de Segur, who cultivated the vineyard and introduced it to the world of fine wine. The Segur family's influence continued through Nicolas-Alexandre, who refined wine-making techniques and introduced Lafite wines to European society, earning it the nickname "The King's Wine."

After the French Revolution, the estate changed hands several times before being purchased by Baron James Mayer Rothschild in 1868 for 4.4 million francs. Despite Baron James's death just three months after the purchase, his sons Alphonse, Gustave, and Edmond continued to manage the estate. The Rothschild family has maintained ownership ever since, with notable leaders including Baron Eric de Rothschild, who modernized the estate's operations and emphasized sustainable viticulture, and Saskia de Rothschild, who has continued to innovate while preserving tradition. The estate has remained a premier example of fine Bordeaux wine, with its wines gracing tables of heads of state and celebrities.

Terroir

Château Lafite Rothschild benefits from exceptional terroir, a defining element of top-quality wines from Bordeaux. The property consists of the slopes surrounding the château proper, the adjacent Carruades Plateau to the west, and a 4.5-hectare plot in the neighboring commune of Saint-Estèphe. The vines are planted in well-drained and well-exposed soil comprising fine gravel mixed with aeolian sand and limestone bedrock. These soils retain heat, which helps grapes ripen to perfection, and force vines to bury their roots deep for nutrients, resulting in greater complexity.

The vineyard covers 112 hectares with soil made up of fine deep gravel, mixed with aeolian sand on a subsoil of tertiary limestone. It is well-drained and benefits from optimal sun exposure. The terroir is characterized by its ability to retain heat, which is crucial for ripening the grapes. The diverse geological conditions, influenced by the Massif Central and the Pyrenees, contribute to the exceptional climatic conditions that make outstanding wines possible in Pauillac[1][4][5].