Producer Profile
Chateau Lafite Rothschild
When Baron James de Rothschild acquired Lafite in 1868, the Chateau and its wines already had a long established history. First noted as a wine producer in the 13th Century, the Chateau went on to earn the status of Premier Grand Cru Classe in the 1855 Bordeaux classification.
Following Rothschild’s acquisition of Lafite, generations of this family have stewarded the Chateau through turbulence and accomplishment. From the phylloxera crisis, to the Great Depression, and times of war, Lafite has continued to tell the story of each year through their vintages which offer up their own inimitable testament to the natural world.
Chateau Lafite Rothschild is a result of a rare harmony of nature. On the plateau of Lafite’s mythical gravel, the men and women who work in the vineyards are the ones who pass on wine-growing traditions. The most crucial aspect in creating these wines is the precision and resilience involved at all levels of winemaking.
The vineyard of Lafite comprises three main areas: the slopes around the Chateau, the Carruades plateau to the west, and a 4.5 hectare lot in the neighbouring township of Saint-Estephe. The surface area is 112 hectares. The soil is made up of fine, deep gravel mixed with windblown sand on a well-drained, and well-exposed tertiary limestone subsoil. The varieties grown here are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Each barrel is tasted individually, and only the best are selected for the final blend. The wine is aged in new oak barrels for 15 months. For the Grand Vine Chateau Lafite Rothschild, only vines aged 10 years+ are used. Each vintage is unique; but typically there is a large proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, then Merlot, then Petit Verdot.
Today, the family remains at the helm of the business, ensuring that their vintners, their wines and their wines, continue to thrive for generations to come. Part of the sixth generation, Saskia de Rothschild brings the family’s longstanding commitment to sustainability to the fore.



