We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Daniel Cathiard, who, together with his wife Florence, owned and directed every facet of Château Smith Haut Lafitte and the production and marketing of its wines. A truly remarkable man, Daniel was a dear friend of our store and graciously welcomed us into their home many times, always alongside Florence.

Daniel was a true maverick. A former Olympic skier, he took over his father’s distribution business and, after expanding it with great success, sold it in the late 1980s to pursue a new vision—purchasing Château Smith Haut Lafitte with Florence at his side. Together, they were among the pioneers in Bordeaux to open the château’s doors widely to visitors, transforming it into a destination for wine tourism at a time when such an approach was virtually unheard of. Equally forward-thinking was Daniel’s deep commitment to environmental responsibility in winemaking, a philosophy he and Florence championed throughout their work. In Daniel’s own words:

“The aim is to make biodynamic wines, that is to say, wines which are pure, natural and in line with my vision of the environment, the future and the mark I want to leave. Our wines also need to be good, if not excellent (smiles)! We want them to be unique. When people taste a bottle of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, I want them to recognize it and remember it. As with sport, I want to be the best.”

Daniel’s vision, generosity, and relentless pursuit of excellence—shared so closely with Florence—left an indelible mark on Bordeaux and on all who were fortunate enough to know them.

We extend our deepest condolences to Florence and her family during this difficult time.