History and Origins
While a certain Gombaud de Lafite, abbot of the Vertheuil Monastery north of Pauillac, is mentioned for the first time in 1234, Lafite's introduction as a medieval fief originates from the 14th century. Lafite gets its name from the Gascon word "la hite," which means "hillock."
A Tradition of Excellence
Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) has built its reputation on quality in the vineyard and winemaking. The DBR (Lafite) Group began with Château Lafite Rothschild, the first château purchased by the Rothschild family in 1868, and it continues to inspire and guide winegrowing practices across its estates. The Rothschild family's expertise and tradition are applied to all properties to produce high-quality wines with finesse and elegance in the "Lafite Spirit."
"The Lafite Spirit" is built on a rich history and tradition rooted in the Bordeaux soil, on the transmission of ancestral know-how from men and women, and on the perfection and refinement of the wines they help create. It also represents the pioneering spirit that has driven the group to explore new terroirs outside France to craft exceptional wines.
Expansion and Modernization
Since 1972, Baron Eric de Rothschild has revitalized Château Lafite Rothschild, bringing the quest for perfection from vineyard to cellar to fruition, and has expanded the estate through acquisitions in France and abroad.
The group grew rapidly from 1962 onwards with acquisitions including Château Duhart-Milon (Pauillac, 4th Grand Cru Classé), Château Rieussec (Sauternes Premier Grand Cru Classé), and Château L'Evangile (Pomerol). International expansions include Viña Los Vascos (Chile, 1988), Domaine d'Aussières (Languedoc, 1999), Bodegas Caro (Argentina, 1999), and since 2008, a vineyard in Penglai, China.
Under the labels Légende and Saga, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) has produced a range of Bordeaux wines since 1995. Château Paradis Casseuil and Château Peyre-Lebade are also distributed by DBR (Lafite).
An Exceptional Terroir
The vineyard is divided into three areas: the slopes surrounding the château, the nearby Carruades plateau to the west, and 4.5 hectares in Saint Estèphe. Spanning 112 hectares, the vineyard is well-drained and exposed, with fine deep gravel mixed with aeolian sand over a tertiary limestone substrate. It receives abundant sunlight.
Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) is the dominant grape variety, followed by Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (3%), and Petit Verdot (2%). The vines average 39 years in age. Vines under ten years are not used for the Grand Vin, so those in the Grand Vin average closer to 45 years. "La Gravière," the oldest plot, was planted in 1886.
Team and Winemaking Practices
Since 1962, the property has been managed by a single team handling both Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Duhart-Milon due to their proximity. Eric Kohler, technical director, is supported by Christophe Congé, oenologist and winemaker, and Louis Caillard, vineyard manager.
Both châteaux follow traditional procedures: strict yield control, manual harvesting, and year-round handwork. Vines reaching 80 years are often pulled out, with little or no chemical fertilizers and careful use of organic fertilizers to maintain longevity.
The King’s Wine and the Wine Prince
From 1716, Marquis Nicolas Alexandre de Ségur built on Lafite's early success, improving winemaking techniques and elevating the wine's status in international markets and at Versailles. With the help of Maréchal de Richelieu, known as "The Wine Prince," Lafite became known as "The King's Wine." It was served at Madame de Pompadour’s dinners, and Madame du Barry made a point of drinking only "The King's Wine."
The Cooperage
Barrels for aging are crafted with care by coopers from the Domaines' cooperage, located in Pauillac. Their technical expertise and attention to wood selection, stave preparation, and assembly are essential for quality. Oak is hand-harvested from the forests of Allier and Nivernais, dried outdoors for two years, and then coopered, allowing control over the wood's origin, drying, and toasting for distinct flavor impact.
Behind the Wines
Today, Château Lafite and Domaines Barons de Rothschild are led by Saskia de Rothschild, daughter of Baron Eric, representing the 6th generation. DBR (Lafite) operates with over 80 distributors worldwide and manages 1,200 hectares of vineyards.