Château Rauzan-Ségla
A Margaux Second Growth estate in Bordeaux, recognized for structured, refined red wines led by its Cabernet Sauvignon-based grand vin.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Château Rauzan-Ségla is a historic wine estate and brand in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, France. Its principal wine, which carries the château's name, was recognized as one of the fifteen Deuxièmes Crus, or Second Growths, in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. The classification established the estate as one of the region's leading red-wine properties and remains central to its identity and market positioning. The estate originated as part of the large Rauzan property assembled by Pierre de Mesures de Rauzan in the mid-seventeenth century. That larger holding was gradually divided into several separate estates. By the time of the 1855 classification, its former territory had been separated among Château Rauzan-Ségla, Château Rauzan-Gassies, Château Desmirail, and Château Marquis de Terme. This fragmented history explains the shared Rauzan name and the distinct identities of the modern properties. After an extended period under the Durand-Dasier family, the estate changed hands several times during the twentieth century. Frédéric Cruse of the Cruse family acquired it in 1903 and retained ownership until 1957. It subsequently belonged to Liverpool shipping magnate John Holt until 1989. The property also engaged the influential Bordeaux consultant Émile Peynaud by 1982, reflecting an effort to strengthen viticulture and winemaking practices during a period when many Bordeaux estates were pursuing greater technical consistency. In 1989 the estate was purchased by Brent Walker. That ownership was relatively brief, and in 1994 the property was sold to the Wertheimer family, owners of Chanel. Chanel remains the owner. Under Chanel ownership, a team associated with Château Latour, including David Orr and John Kolasa, was installed and the estate pursued a sustained program of quality improvement. John Kolasa later retired, and Nicolas Audebert joined the property in 2014 after working at Cheval des Andes, the Mendoza joint venture associated with LVMH. The vineyard covers approximately 51 hectares. Its plantings are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which represents about 61 percent of the vineyard, followed by Merlot at about 35 percent. Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot each account for about 2 percent. This blend gives the estate a Cabernet-led profile while retaining the Merlot component associated with the character of Margaux wines. The property produces Château Rauzan-Ségla as its grand vin and directs surplus lots into a second wine called Ségla. Reported annual production of the grand vin is approximately 8,000 cases. The name has also had a recent historical distinction. The spelling “Rausan-Ségla” was widely used for much of the modern era, but “Rauzan-Ségla” was restored as the official form in 1994. Today the brand combines classified-growth heritage, Margaux provenance, Cabernet-focused vineyard composition, Chanel ownership, and international distribution. Its principal commercial identity remains that of a premium Bordeaux estate wine rather than a broad portfolio of consumer products.
History
Château Rauzan-Ségla traces its origins to the large Rauzan estate associated with Pierre de Mesures de Rauzan in the mid-seventeenth century. The original property was progressively divided, producing several separate Margaux estates. By 1855, Château Rauzan-Ségla had become a distinct property and was included among the fifteen Deuxièmes Crus in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification. That classification gave the estate a durable place in the hierarchy of Bordeaux wines and remains the foundation of its prestige. The property was held for a long period by the Durand-Dasier family before being acquired in 1903 by Frédéric Cruse of the Cruse family. The Cruse ownership lasted until 1957. The estate then passed to John Holt, a Liverpool shipping magnate, who retained it until 1989. During the later part of this period, the estate engaged Émile Peynaud as a consultant by 1982. Peynaud's involvement connected the property with the modernization of Bordeaux technical practice and with efforts to improve the consistency and quality of its wines. Brent Walker purchased the property in 1989, but the ownership did not last long. In 1994 the estate was acquired by the Wertheimer family, the owners of Chanel. Chanel remains the owner, making Rauzan-Ségla part of a luxury group whose broader activities extend beyond wine. Following the acquisition, the estate installed a team led by David Orr and John Kolasa, both of whom had links to Château Latour. The Chanel era has been associated with a sustained focus on improving viticulture, cellar work, and the quality of the finished wine. The property also formally returned to the spelling “Rauzan-Ségla” in 1994. “Rausan-Ségla” had frequently appeared as an alternative form, but the restored spelling reflects the name used by the estate today. In 2014, Nicolas Audebert was appointed following John Kolasa's retirement. Audebert had previously been the winemaker at Cheval des Andes, the Mendoza estate connected with LVMH. The estate's vineyard extends over approximately 51 hectares. Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for roughly 61 percent of plantings, Merlot for 35 percent, and Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot for about 2 percent each. The vineyard therefore supports a predominantly Cabernet-based Margaux blend, with Merlot providing a substantial complementary component. The grand vin is Château Rauzan-Ségla. Lower-selected or surplus wine is used for the second wine, Ségla. Annual production of the grand vin has been reported at approximately 8,000 cases. Rauzan-Ségla's modern identity is consequently built from several layers: seventeenth-century estate origins, recognition as a 1855 Second Growth, a succession of twentieth-century owners, technical renewal under Chanel, and a focused two-wine production structure. The estate operates as a premium Bordeaux producer with an international reputation, while retaining the geographic and stylistic identity of the Margaux appellation.
- 2014
Nicolas Audebert joins the estate
[1]Nicolas Audebert succeeded John Kolasa following Kolasa's retirement.
- 1994
Chanel-associated ownership begins
[1]The Wertheimer family acquired the estate, bringing it into the ownership group associated with Chanel.
- 1994
Official name returns to Rauzan-Ségla
[1]The estate restored “Rauzan-Ségla” as its official spelling after the alternative “Rausan-Ségla” had been commonly used.
- 1994
Acquired by Chanel
[1]Chanel acquired the Margaux estate, beginning its current ownership era and linking the château to a global luxury group.
- 1989
Brent Walker acquisition
[1]Brent Walker acquired the property before selling it to the Wertheimer family five years later.
- 1982
Émile Peynaud becomes a consultant
[1]The estate engaged Bordeaux consultant Émile Peynaud as part of its quality-improvement efforts.
- 1957
End of Cruse family ownership
[1]The estate passed from the Cruse family after more than five decades of ownership.
- 1903
Acquisition by Frédéric Cruse
[1]Frédéric Cruse of the Cruse family acquired the estate after its period under the Durand-Dasier family.
- 1855
Classified as a Second Growth
[1]Château Rauzan-Ségla was included among the fifteen Deuxièmes Crus in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855.
- 1855
Named a Second Growth
[1]Château Rauzan-Ségla was classified as a Deuxième Cru in the 1855 Classification of the Médoc and Graves.
Products and positioning
Luxury Bordeaux fine wine from a Margaux Second Growth estate, emphasizing classified-growth heritage, Cabernet Sauvignon-led structure, terroir expression, aging potential, and Chanel ownership.
Grand vin / classified-growth Bordeaux red wine
Château Rauzan-Ségla
The estate's flagship red wine and principal commercial expression. It is produced from the Margaux property’s approximately 51-hectare vineyard, whose plantings are led by Cabernet Sauvignon, supported by Merlot and smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine carries the estate's 1855 Second Growth designation and represents the château's premium, age-worthy Bordeaux offering. It is associated with dark fruit, floral and spice notes, firm but refined tannins, freshness, and substantial aging potential. Production and final composition vary by vintage as the estate selects parcels and lots according to growing conditions and quality. The estate’s principal wine and classified-growth grand vin. It is a red Margaux built chiefly around Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot and other permitted Bordeaux varieties used to shape the blend. The wine is associated with dark fruit, floral and spice notes, firm but refined tannins, freshness, and substantial aging potential. Production and final composition vary by vintage as the estate selects parcels and lots according to growing conditions and quality.
Second wine
Ségla
The estate's second wine, made from lots that are not selected for the grand vin. It provides a separate expression of the property while retaining a connection to the same Margaux vineyard and cellar operation. Ségla broadens the estate's range beyond its classified grand vin. The estate’s second wine, made from selected vineyard fruit that does not enter the grand-vin blend or is intended to create a different stylistic expression. Ségla retains the Margaux character of the property while generally offering a more approachable profile and earlier drinking window than Château Rauzan-Ségla. Its exact grape composition and production level depend on the vintage. The estate's second wine, made from lots that are not selected for the grand vin. It provides a separate expression of the property while retaining a connection to the same Margaux vineyard and cellar operation. Ségla broadens the estate's range beyond its classified grand vin, generally offering a more approachable profile and earlier drinking window than Château Rauzan-Ségla. Its exact grape composition and production level depend on the vintage.
Brand decisions
2014
Appointment of Nicolas AudebertOtherBackground
John Kolasa retired after leading the estate's winemaking period under Chanel ownership.
Action taken
Nicolas Audebert, formerly associated with Cheval des Andes, joined Château Rauzan-Ségla.
Aftermath
Audebert became part of the estate's continuing management and winemaking leadership.
1994
Sale to the Wertheimer familyM&ABackground
The estate changed ownership after Brent Walker's relatively short period of control.
Action taken
The Wertheimer family acquired Château Rauzan-Ségla; the family also owns Chanel.
Aftermath
The estate entered its continuing Chanel-associated ownership period and installed a team with Château Latour experience.
1994
Restoration of the official estate nameOtherBackground
The property had frequently been identified using the alternative spelling “Rausan-Ségla.”
Action taken
The estate restored “Rauzan-Ségla” as its official name.
Aftermath
The restored spelling became the standard identity used by the estate.
1994
Chanel acquisition of the estateM&ABackground
Château Rauzan-Ségla was a historic Margaux classified growth whose ownership changed as part of the continuing consolidation and long-term investment pattern seen among leading Bordeaux estates.
Action taken
Chanel acquired the property and incorporated it into its group of luxury wine estates.
Aftermath
The estate continued under Chanel ownership, with an emphasis on vineyard care, cellar improvement, parcel-level work, and international luxury-wine distribution.
1982
Engagement of Émile PeynaudStrategyBackground
The estate sought technical and quality improvements during a period of modernization in Bordeaux winemaking.
Action taken
It engaged the influential Bordeaux consultant Émile Peynaud.
Aftermath
The appointment formed part of the estate's longer-term effort to improve the quality and consistency of its wines.
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