Behind the ivy-clad walls of Cathiard Vineyard, a temple of craftsmanship awaits. A place where human care and nature unite, in harmony and with intention, guided by the precious gift of time.
We are delighted to be featured in the latest edition of @wmbrownmagazine , highlighting our cooperage and the work of our talented barrel maker, Alban. A wonderful recognition of tradition, craftsmanship, and the dedication behind everything that we do.
✍️: @eric_twardzik
📷: @mattmorrisfilms
Among the wildflowers, Hora 2023 captures the essence of spring—bright, fresh, and brimming with the energy of our young vines, honoring the change of seasons and the spirit of renewal.
Hora 2023 is currently available through our mailing list. To acquire, please contact us at [email protected]
The unveiling of our 2023 vintage —a moment Daniel had long anticipated with the calm excitement that was so naturally his.
“An exceptional vintage” he would tell everyone, with quiet but unmistakable conviction, knowing the vineyard had given us something truly special that year…perhaps the best we had seen yet.
2023 was, in every sense, a gift from nature, offering weather conditions as close to perfect as any in living memory: a year blessed with the generosity of winter rains abundant enough to replenish our soils, a delayed yet strong budbreak under ideal spring temperatures, a summer free of the heat spikes we so often brace for, and, from the first shoots to the last picks, an extended season that unfolded in a rare and remarkable harmony—long, cool and consistent, allowing the vineyard to express itself at an unhurried pace, and for each berry to ripen gradually, and evenly.
Daniel believed that the greatest gifts the land offers require patience. They arrive slowly, shaped by time rather than force. And in many ways, the 2023 vintage reflected that same spirit. Calm, measured, and steady—much like the man who believed in it so deeply.
Today, as we unveil these wines, we taste them with both pride and deep emotion, and we find ourselves returning to Daniel’s words…words that now feel truer than ever. The 2023 vintage is exactly what he believed it would be: exceptional.
We are pleased to share that 2023 Hora and Founding Brothers are currently available through our mailing list. To acquire, you may contact us at [email protected]
Le Château Smith Haut Lafitte annonce avec une profonde tristesse le décès de Daniel Cathiard.
Depuis plus de trente-cinq ans, Daniel a été au cœur de l’histoire de Smith Haut Lafitte. Aux côtés de Florence, il a engagé et accompagné la renaissance du domaine, faisant passer Smith Haut Lafitte d’une belle endormie à l’une des références majeures du vignoble bordelais, aujourd’hui reconnue dans le monde entier.
Visionnaire et pionnier, Daniel a guidé le château avec exigence, discernement et constance. Il a très tôt inscrit le respect de l’environnement, du terroir et du vivant au cœur des orientations du domaine, convaincu que l’excellence des vins repose sur une approche responsable et engagée. Il a porté une attention permanente à la qualité, à la transmission des savoir-faire et à l’engagement des équipes.
Smith Haut Lafitte a également été pensé comme une aventure familiale. Avec Florence, Daniel a construit un projet fondé sur la continuité, la confiance et la transmission, associant progressivement la nouvelle génération à la gouvernance et à l’avenir du domaine.
Les équipes du Château Smith Haut Lafitte et de Cathiard Vineyard expriment leur profonde tristesse et leur immense reconnaissance pour la vision, la confiance et les valeurs que Daniel leur a transmises. En ces moments douloureux, l’ensemble des équipes adresse ses pensées les plus sincères à Florence, Mathilde, Alice, Bertrand, Jérôme, à leurs petits-enfants et à leurs proches.
Avec tout notre respect et notre affection,
Les équipes du Château Smith Haut Lafitte et Cathiard Vineyard.
At Cathiard Vineyard, we have made the rare choice to preserve the art of barrel making onsite, within the walls of our winery. Here, generations of wisdom are honored, ancestral traditions are carried forward, and brought to life each day. More than a workshop, our cooperage is a temple of craftsmanship, an enduring symbol of culture.
Cathiard Vineyard 2022 has been ranked Top 6 in Decanter’s Top 50 U.S. Wines of the Year. An incredible honour, and a recognition we are deeply grateful for.
As the year draws to a close, we look back on another growing season. Today, the last lots of our 2025 harvest have been barrelled, and will quietly rest until this remarkable vintage is ready to meet the world. After months of tireless work and devotion, the cellar doors gently close, and our production team steps back, their work complete—for now!
We are thrilled to be featured in the latest issue of Edible, highlighting our very own cooperage and the work of our talented barrel maker, Alban Trouvé.
For 25 years, Alban has devoted his career to this centuries-old art, and today, he brings his passion and expertise from France to the Napa Valley, hand crafting each barrel at Cathiard Vineyard with precision, care, and a deep respect for tradition. Our heartfelt thank you to Vincent Vitale and Emma Kruch for so beautifully honoring his craft, and the crucial role it plays in shaping our wines, now and for years to come.
✍️: @vitalepics
📸 :@emmakcreative
Nous sommes très heureux et profondément fiers d’annoncer que Château Smith Haut Lafitte se classe N°5 des @theworlds50bestvineyards 2025 et le premier domaine français du classement.
C’est une immense joie pour toute notre équipe. Merci à nos visiteurs, à nos collaborateurs et à tous ceux qui font vivre le château. Votre confiance rend cette reconnaissance si précieuse.
Nous continuerons à vous accueillir avec la même passion, la même énergie et le même engagement pour notre terroir.
#WorldsBestVineyards #SmithHautLafitte #Bordeaux #WineTourism
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We are very happy and truly proud to share that Château Smith Haut Lafitte has been ranked No.5 in the World’s Best Vineyards 2025, making us the highest-ranked French estate this year.
This is a tremendous joy for our entire team. Thank you to our visitors, our staff, and everyone who brings the estate to life. Your trust makes this recognition truly meaningful.
We will continue to welcome you with the same passion, energy, and dedication to our unique terroir.
#WorldsBestVineyards #SmithHautLafitte #Bordeaux #WineTourism
Every glass poured is an invitation into a world where elegance meets intimacy. A space to share, to connect, and to nurture bonds that turn simple moments into the most cherished memories.
Our team looks forward to welcoming you at the estate. To inquire, please reach out to us at [email protected]
