The estate surrounding the area has been settled since the 1100’s with the area being the site for a fortress known as Lamothe (from motte, a small rise in the land). The first mention of wine production under the name “Margou or “Margous” is in the 15th century. The close links to England (Aquitaine was owned by England until 1453) ensured that these wines found their way in foreign markets – Richard the Lionheart drank claret every day.
The arrival of the Lestonnac family in the 1500’s meant that wine production became especially important. In the 1570’s Pierre de Lestonnac expanded the property significantly and cleared out many grain fields to make way for vines.
The family remained in possession of the vineyards through the female side, including an alliance with the Pontac family of Chateau Haut-Brion in 1654 – this proved to be crucial in the inclusion of Margaux in the four first growths.
By early 1700s the estate had 265 hectares, with a third devoted purely to viticulture. This layout has hardly changed up to the modern day. The early 18th century saw the wine develop from a pale, watery and short-lived drink to a dark, complex liquid that has been stored in cellars ever since. This transformation was due to an estate manager named Berlon who revolutionised techniques of wine-making by introducing novel ideas such as banning the harvesting in early mornings to avoid dew-covered grapes and subsequently dilution. He also acknowledged the importance of soil quality in the various terroir found in the estate. In a visit in 1787 Thomas Jefferson noted that Margaux was one of four vineyards “of first quality”.
The French Revolution and the social upheaval that came with it meant that owner Elie du Barry was executed by guillotine and the estate was expropriated. It fell into the hands of a citizen named Miqueau who neglected the care and maintenance of the vineyards, and estate in general.
Eventually it was bought up in 1802 by the Marquis de la Colonilla, Bertrand Douat for an enormous 654,000 francs. The estate’s old chateau was torn down and replaced with a new structure in the First Empire style.
It was sold off in 1836 to the Spanish nobleman Alexandra Aguada, for 1,350,000 francs followed by a period responsible for most of the mansion’s decorations. It was passed by his son to Vicomte Pillet-Will in 1879 – an era that ended in 1920 when it was sold to business sindicate headed by Pierre Moreau. In turn it was acquired by the Bordeaux wine merchant Fernand Ginestet in 1925.
The Ginestet family were forced to sell following the Bordeaux economic crisis of 1973 and was acquired by Greek business man Andre Mentzelopoulos – he restored the vineyards with painstaking attention to detail. By the time os his death in 1980 Margaux was on it’s way to recovering its former glory. The 1978 and 1979 vintages were declared exceptional by wine critics.
Management has remained in the Mentzelopoulos family until the present, and Andre’s daughter Corinne Mentzelopoulos has bought back the majority stake. The quality has the wine has been lauded as consistent and remarkable, achieving top scores from renowned critics.
The holdings of Chateau Margaux extend to 262 hectares, with 87 hectares entitled to Margaux AOC declaration. 80 hectares are planted with 75 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 percent Merlot, 2 percent Cabernet Franc and Petit verdot. 12 hectares are cultivated with Sauvignon Blanc to make the white, dry Pavillon Blanc. The average annual production of the grand vin is 150,000 bottles.
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