Château Rauzan-Ségla

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.

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.

1. 2014Nicolas Audebert joins the estate

   Nicolas Audebert succeeded John Kolasa following Kolasa's retirement.

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2. 1994Chanel-associated ownership begins

   The Wertheimer family acquired the estate, bringing it into the ownership group associated with Chanel.

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3. 1994Official name returns to Rauzan-Ségla

   The estate restored “Rauzan-Ségla” as its official spelling after the alternative “Rausan-Ségla” had been commonly used.

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4. 1989Brent Walker acquisition

   Brent Walker acquired the property before selling it to the Wertheimer family five years later.

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5. 1982Émile Peynaud becomes a consultant

   The estate engaged Bordeaux consultant Émile Peynaud as part of its quality-improvement efforts.

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6. 1957End of Cruse family ownership

   The estate passed from the Cruse family after more than five decades of ownership.

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7. 1903Acquisition by Frédéric Cruse

   Frédéric Cruse of the Cruse family acquired the estate after its period under the Durand-Dasier family.

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8. 1855Classified as a Second Growth

   Château Rauzan-Ségla was included among the fifteen Deuxièmes Crus in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855.

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9. 1600Origins in the Rauzan estate

   The property formed part of the large Rauzan estate associated with Pierre de Mesures de Rauzan in the mid-seventeenth century.

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High-end classified-growth Bordeaux wine from the Margaux appellation, emphasizing historic provenance, estate production, Cabernet Sauvignon-led blending, and Chanel ownership.

• Château Rauzan-SéglaGrand vin / classified-growth Bordeaux red wine

  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.

• SéglaSecond wine

  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.

• 2014Appointment of Nicolas AudebertOther

  John Kolasa retired after leading the estate's winemaking period under Chanel ownership.

  What changed. 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.

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• 1994Sale to the Wertheimer familyM&A

  The estate changed ownership after Brent Walker's relatively short period of control.

  What changed. 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.

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• 1994Restoration of the official estate nameOther

  The property had frequently been identified using the alternative spelling “Rausan-Ségla.”

  What changed. The estate restored “Rauzan-Ségla” as its official name.

  Aftermath. The restored spelling became the standard identity used by the estate.

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• 1982Engagement of Émile PeynaudStrategy

  The estate sought technical and quality improvements during a period of modernization in Bordeaux winemaking.

  What changed. 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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• 2014Nicolas Audebert joins Château Rauzan-Ségla

  Nicolas Audebert joined the estate after the retirement of John Kolasa. He had previously worked at Cheval des Andes in Mendoza.

  Leadership change
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• 1994Château Rauzan-Ségla is acquired by the Wertheimer family

  The Wertheimer family, owners of Chanel, acquired the Margaux estate after its brief period under Brent Walker ownership.

  M&A
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• 1994The estate restores the Rauzan-Ségla spelling

  The historical spelling “Rauzan-Ségla” was reinstated as the property's official name after “Rausan-Ségla” had been widely used.

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1. Château Rauzan-Ségla
2. Château Rauzan-Ségla official website