Château Margaux appoints Aurélien Valance as MD
First-growth Bordeaux estate Château Margaux has announced that Aurélien Valance (pictured) – currently the deputy managing director, sales and operations – will be stepping up to the role of MD at the end of 2026.
This comes as the current MD, Philippe Bascaules, reveals his intention to retire after thirty years working for the Château.
Valance himself brings over 20 years of experience working at the estate, first starting there in 2001 as an intern before returning in 2006, after completing his studies at HEC Paris and a stint importing wine in New York.
The Château emphasised that he possesses “an intimate knowledge of its history, wines, teams and markets”, with his appointment representing continuity and the transmission of knowledge.
Alexis Leven-Mentzelopoulos, co-owner and CEO of the estate, said: “Aurélien has known Château Margaux for twenty years and shares its culture, high standards and values at a profound level. His appointment is a natural continuation of our history.”
Valance will also have an experienced technical team to back him up, with Benjamin Vimal (who joined in May 2026) serving as technical and operations director, while Blandine de Rouffignac (with the estate since 2018) works as the director of research and development.
Commenting on his appointment, Valance said: “I would like to thank Alexis Leven-Mentzelopoulos for the trust he has placed in me. It is a great honour to take on the role of MD of Château Margaux, an estate I have known for twenty years and to which I feel deeply attached. I approach this responsibility with great humility, but also with the strength of an experienced and committed team.
“I wish to continue the work carried out with Philippe and with all those who bring the estate to life every day. Together with Benjamin Vimal and Blandine de Rouffignac, we can draw on complementary areas of expertise and a deep knowledge of Château Margaux.”
The previous MD, Philippe Bascaules, joined Margaux in 1990 as its director of operations – holding the position until 2011.
He then left the estate for five years, heading up a Francis Ford Coppola's Inglenook Winery in Napa, before returning to Bordeaux in 2017 after the death of Paul Pontallier.
Despite his retirement, Bascaules’s experience and deep knowledge of the estate will still be of use to the producer, as he will continue to operate as a consultant on specific areas in key technical periods – including the harvest, winemaking and blending.
Leven-Mentzelopoulos thanked Bascaules for his time at the estate. He said: “Philippe has devoted the greater part of his professional life to Château Margaux, and I would like to express our deepest gratitude to him for his commitment, his availability and the high standards with which he has always served the estate.
“Beyond his expertise and exceptional knowledge of the property, I would also like to recognise his outstanding human qualities.”
Image credit – ©EpisodeII
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