Château Smith Haut Lafitte and Cathiard Vineyard open a new chapter in their history
Family transmission, renewed governance and strengthened international ambition for the Cathiard family properties
Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Grand Cru Classé de Graves (Pessac-Léognan), and Cathiard Vineyard, located in the heartof the Napa Valley, are entering a structuring new phase in their development with the announcement of a renewed governance organisation. Two wine estates, two leading appellations, two historic contiguous terroirs, and a shared family spirit, now carried by a vision firmly focused on the future.
This strategic evolution reflects a desire for continuity and for the sustainable transmission of the founding values held dearby Florence and Daniel Cathiard, owners of Château Smith Haut Lafitte since 1990 and of Cathiard Vineyard since 2020. After more than thirty five years of daily commitment, Florence Cathiard joins the Supervisory Board, which she willco-chair alongside Daniel Cathiard, while continuing to support the group’s major strategic orientations. The Management Board is now chaired by their two daughters, Mathilde Thomas and Alice Tourbier, who embody the new generation of the family at the helm of the estates. This transmission represents a major milestone, built on the complementarity of their respective backgrounds and on a clear intention to anchor the properties within a contemporarydynamic, faithful to their artisanal and environmental DNA.
Founder of Caudalie, Mathilde Thomas will bring herexpertise in international development, brand image, digital communication and environmental responsibility. Her rolewill notably involve strengthening the global recognition of the wines and affirming the distinct identity of each propertywith rigour and creativity. Alice Tourbier, owner of Les Sources Hotels, will contribute her know-how in luxury hospitality and customer experience, creating bridges between viticulture, gastronomy, high-end hospitality and the French art de vivre. To support this transition, the Management Board is further strengthened by the arrival of Tracey Dobbin MW. Based in Bordeaux for more than a decade, the Master of Wine brings recognised expertise in viticultural strategy, international markets and wine education. She joins an already well-structured leadership team alongside Fabien Teitgen, Managing Director, who has overseen the technical and operational direction of Château Smith Haut Lafitte for more than twenty years, and Ludovic Fradin, Deputy Deputy Managing Director, responsible for commercial strategy and the international development of the Cathiard family wines. This renewed governance also stands out for the central role given to women within the organisation. Alongside Florence Cathiard, her daughters and Tracey Dobbin MW, key figures include Justine Labbé, General Manager and Winemaker at Cathiard Vineyard, as well as Candice Bernard Cathiard, in charge of the customer experience in the Napa Valley.
This diversity of committed profiles actively contributes to the cultural and international influence of the estates. This reorganisation forms part of the continuity of the environmental commitments upheld by the properties. Organic farming certified since 2019, active promotion of biodiversity, and the integration of art and craftsmanship into living and working spaces, with Château Smith Haut Lafitte recognised as an Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant, constitute the foundations of a model built on respect for nature and the transmission of savoir-faire.
Between Bordeaux and the Napa Valley, the Cathiard family thus affirms a long-term vision, combining winegrowing excellence, environmental responsibility and a strong human dimension. A new chapter now opens for these two emblematic estates, guided by fidelity to their founding values and by a clearly expressed international ambition, in service of the influence of the French art de vivre and savoir-faire.