Bordeaux’s great châteaux owned by luxury: Chanel, LVMH, Pinault
The family that owns Chanel holds three châteaux in Margaux and Saint-Émilion. Along with LVMH and the Pinaults, discover the unexpected links between
Edited by EMA
Checked on: · Source : JAPANITIES / Decanter, Wine Spectator, The Drinks Business, The Wine Doctor
No “fashion-brand wine”
Châteaux owned by fashion houses are not sold under the brand name. They are great historic names, marketed like any other growth. The family or group is simply the owner.
Chanel: three châteaux
The Wertheimer family, owner of Chanel, owns three châteaux in Bordeaux: one in Margaux and two in Saint-Émilion.
- Rauzan-Ségla (Margaux): acquired in 1994, second growth in the 1855 classification.
- Canon (Saint-Émilion): acquired in 1996, a wine known for its elegance, Premier Grand Cru Classé B.
- Berliquet (Saint-Émilion): a grand cru classé acquired in 2017, surrounded by the vines of Canon. According to the press, it is run as a separate entity from Canon.
- The press reports that the three properties are run by the same manager.
Latour: an anecdote
In 1993, the Wertheimer family reportedly took an interest in Château Latour, a first growth of Pauillac, but François Pinault is said to have closed the deal before them. This anecdote rests on a single source. The following year, the Wertheimers acquired Rauzan-Ségla.
The châteaux of LVMH and the Pinaults
Other luxury figures also own great Bordeaux names.
- LVMH: Château d’Yquem (Sauternes). Bernard Arnault acquired a majority from 1996; after a dispute, LVMH became the owner in 1999.
- LVMH: Cheval Blanc (Saint-Émilion) was bought in 1998 by Bernard Arnault and the Belgian Albert Frère. In 2009, LVMH took over Arnault’s stake.
- The Pinault family: Latour belongs to Artémis, the Pinault family holding company, and not to Kering, which owns Gucci and Saint Laurent.
At a glance
| Owner | Château | Appellation | Classification | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chanel (Wertheimer family) | Rauzan-Ségla | Margaux | Second growth 1855 | 1994 |
| Chanel (Wertheimer family) | Canon | Saint-Émilion | Premier Grand Cru Classé B | 1996 |
| Chanel (Wertheimer family) | Berliquet | Saint-Émilion | Grand Cru Classé | 2017 |
| LVMH (Bernard Arnault) | Yquem | Sauternes | Superior first growth 1855 | Majority acquired between 1996 and 1999 |
| LVMH (Arnault and Frère) | Cheval Blanc | Saint-Émilion | Left the classification (2021) | 1998 |
| Pinault family (Artémis) | Latour | Pauillac | First growth 1855 | 1993 |
Did you know?
- We found no Bordeaux château owned by Hermès. Fourcas Hosten in Listrac-Médoc belongs to another branch of the Hermès family, not to the group.
- Latour has no longer sold its wines en primeur since the 2012 vintage: they are released once close to their peak.
- Cheval Blanc left the Saint-Émilion classification in 2021.
For a visit
- Most châteaux can be visited by reservation. Check their official sites.
- Rauzan-Ségla is in Margaux, in the Médoc: you get there by car or on an excursion from Bordeaux.
- At the wine shop, spot the appellation and the château name on the label: it is a chance to find out who is behind them.
Sources
- The Drinks Business, “Chanel acquires third Bordeaux estate” (2017)
- Decanter, “Chanel expands Bordeaux: Château Berliquet deal”
- Wine Spectator, “Chanel Group Buys St.-Emilion’s Château Berliquet”
- The Wine Doctor, “Wertheimer 2022”
- Wine Spectator, “Château Cheval-Blanc Sold to LVMH Chairman and Belgian Businessman”
- Wine Spectator, “Battle Over Chateau d’Yquem Ends With LVMH as New Owner”
- The Drinks Business, “Latour de force: has Latour’s exit from en primeur paid off?” (2021)
- Owners can change: check the official site of each château.