Médoc-based Château Margaux has lined up its deputy MD to step up later this year, when incumbent Philippe Bascaules retires.
The privately owned winemaker confirmed yesterday (1 October) that Bascaules will leave at the end of this year, having spent 30 years with the company, the last nine of which have been as MD. Replacing him will be Aurélien Valance (below), who first joined Margaux as an intern in 2001.
Returning 20 years ago after having held a wine importing position in New York, Valance rose to become deputy MD of sales & operations in 2016. He will take on the new responsibilities from 1 December.
“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,” said co-owner & CEO Alexis Leven-Mentzelopoulos.
“Aurélien has known Château Margaux for 20 years and shares its culture, high standards and values at a profound level. His appointment is a natural continuation of our history.”
Located in Bordeaux in the south-west of France, Château Margaux owns around 265 hectares with 100 given over to vines.
While Bordeaux’s overall export volumes were in decline in 2025, according to French Customs data released earlier this year, shipments of the region’s crémant de Bordeaux sparkling wine segment jumped by over a third.
