A long and prestigious history

1365 – 2017 / 1990 – 2017
Six and a half centuries of history and 27 years
of enthusiasm shared by a team of professionals.

We fell in love with Smith Haut Lafitte, a vine covered clearing surrounded by trees at the gateway to Bordeaux, over a quarter of a century ago. This great growth was long considered "the quintessential Graves", but also nicknamed "Sleeping Beauty"…
Florence & Daniel Cathiard

In the 14^th century, Verrier du Dubosc signed the first recorded deeds for this estate including a few vines. George Smith, a Scottish wine merchant, acquired the property in the mid-18^th century and named it after himself.

Lodi Martin Duffour-Dubergier, Mayor of Bordeaux and signer of the official 1855 classification, acquired the estate in 1842 and brought it up to Grand Cru Exceptionnel level.

In the early 20^th century, the négociant firm of Eschenauer, headed by the famous “Uncle Louis” Eschenauer, sold the wine and ended up buying the château in 1958.

– 3 branches representing George Smith’s 3 children
– Fleurs-de-lis symbolising the Verrier du Bosq family who founded the vineyard
– A crescent emblematic of the Port of Bordeaux: the “Port of the Moon”

Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Daniel et Florence Cathiard

Owners

Florence & Daniel Cathiard

Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Daniel Cathiard

Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Florence Cathiard

Florence and Daniel Cathiard fell in love with Château Smith Haut Lafitte in 1990 and acquired it with the firm intention of perpetuating the wine’s tradition of excellence.

“Our philosophy can be summed up in one sentence – to do everything possible to make each vintage of red and white wine worthy of our magnificent terroir “.

After three years spent renovating the estate, the Cathiards came to live there, in the 18^th century chartreuse dating from George Smith’s time, in order to devote themselves to overseeing winegrowing with the help of a talented and motivated team.

Mathilde Thomas-Cathiard and her husband, Bertrand Thomas, founded the Caudalie company to make a range of exclusive beauty care products from grape seeds and vine cuttings that is sold all over the world.

Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Mathilde Thomas

Hotel

Les Etangs de Corot

Alice Tourbier-Cathiard and her husband, Jérôme, run the two hotel facilities, Les Sources de Caudalie, a luxury country hotel and Les Etangs de Corot in Versailles. They would like to open other boutique hotels.