Château Margaux
Men and women devoted to a Great Wine
Teams
Co-owner and CEO
Alexis Leven-Mentzelopoulos
Alexis Leven-Mentzelopoulos holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Communications from the American University of Paris and a Master of Science degree in Vineyard and Winery Management from the Bordeaux National School of Agronomic Engineering (Bordeaux Sciences Agro). He joined the family estate in early 2020 as Business Development Director before being appointed Deputy General Manager in charge of Strategy and Development. At the end of 2023 he was appointed CEO of Château Margaux and thus represents, after his grandfather André Mentzelopoulos and his mother Corinne, the third generation at the head of the estate.
Co-owner and President of the Supervisory Board of the Holding Company
Alexandra Petit-Mentzelopoulos
Alexandra Petit-Mentzelopoulos, the daughter of Corinne Mentzelopoulos, was born in New York. She earned a Bachelor’s degree at the Management Institute of Paris (EDHEC group) in 2008 and, two years later, a Master’s degree in Fine and Decorative art from Sotheby’s Institute of Arts in London. In 2012, she joined the Château Margaux team as Brand Ambassador, and introduced the first vintage of the Estate’s third wine, Margaux du Château Margaux 2009. Alexandra was appointed Deputy Managing Director, Communication and Image, in 2016. She was based in London, a centuries-old international marketplace for the purchase and sale of the world’s finest wines for almost 14 years and is now living in Paris. At the end of 2023, she was appointed President of the Supervisory Board of the Holding. This control function allows her to remain involved in Château Margaux alongside her brother Alexis.
Managing Director
Philippe Bascaules
Philippe Bascaules holds a degree in agronomy from Montpellier SupAgro. He first joined Château Margaux in 1990 as Estate Director, a position he held until 2011, working under the tutelage of Paul Pontallier, whose 33-year tenure as Managing Director ended with his untimely passing in 2016.
Following several years working abroad, Bascaules was appointed Managing Director of Château Margaux by Corinne Mentzelopoulos in 2017.
Since taking over the responsibility of the property, Bascaules has been laying plans for its future alongside Deputy Managing Director Aurélien Valance, Estate Director Sébastien Vergne and Secretary General Noëlle Rolland.
Deputy Managing Director, Sales and Operations
Aurélien Valance
Aurélien Valance was appointed Deputy Managing Director, Sales and Operations, of Château Margaux in 2016, following nearly a decade as Commercial Director. His work leads him to destinations across the world, where he oversees the sales of Château Margaux wines in both traditional markets and the rising number of new countries that have developed a taste for the great wines of Bordeaux. Aurélien began his career at Château Margaux in 2001 as an intern while a student at HEC Business School, where he earned a master’s degree in management. After graduation Aurélien moved to New York, where he helped establish a major wine importing business. In the end, his fondness for the estate prevailed and he rejoined the Château Margaux team in 2006. A true wine enthusiast, Aurélien has won 2 blind tasting competitions: France’s national competition in 2017 and the French Cup in 2021.
Secretary General
Noëlle Rolland
Noëlle Rolland joined the Château Margaux team in 2001 as Management Controller after completing her graduate degree in finance and management at ESIG. Throughout her time at the company, Noëlle has worked actively alongside Olivier Pinon on business development and the administrative and financial management of the Estate.
She was appointed Administrative and Finance Manager in 2013 and Chief Financial Officer in 2016. Following the retirement of Olivier Pinon in 2023, Noëlle has been promoted to Secretary General.
Estate Director
Sébastien Vergne
After completing a Doctorate of Science from the University of Bordeaux in 2007, Sébastien Vergne spent nearly five years working in research and development at a major agri-food company.
But having grown up in the farming world, Sébastien decided to return to his agricultural roots. He went back to school, earning a master’s degree in viticulture and oenology as well as a National Oenology Degree from Montpellier SupAgro.
Following jobs in the south of France and in Saint-Émilion, Sébastien took charge of technical operations at Château Margaux in 2014. He was appointed Estate Director in 2016.
Communication and Image Director
Andréa Foraison
Graduating with a Master’s degree in Communication and International Management from Iseg Paris in 2009, Andréa Foraison began her career in a public relations agency, where she held the roles of PR and then Client Director within several Parisian agencies. She then advanced her career by managing the global communication and brand image strategies for prestigious brands in the spirits and luxury sectors, enhancing their visibility and international presence.
Specializing in 360° communication strategy (PR, social media, paid media, events, partnerships), Andréa excels in creating innovative brand content and organizing prestigious events. She now applies her expertise to Château Margaux, enhancing the estate’s visibility and international reach.
Head of External Relations
Johana Loubet
Johana Loubet holds a master’s degree in foreign languages and civilizations from the University of Bordeaux and has worked at the Estate since 2002. She served as Personal Assistant to Paul Pontallier until his passing in 2016, while also handling external relations, including tours for journalists and photographers. Another of her responsibilities is organizing tastings outside France, which have become increasingly frequent as global demand for the finest wines of Bordeaux has grown.
Commercial Relations Manager
Thomas Burke
Thomas Burke holds a diploma from the prestigious Court of Master Sommeliers. After working for over ten years as a sommelier for several renowned wine programs throughout the United States, Thomas spent seven years as Director of Education and Category Development for a distributor in Nevada before joining Château Margaux’s team in June 2015 as Brand Ambassador for the US market.
In 2017 he was promoted to Commercial Relations Manager in Margaux. Alongside Aurélien Valance, Deputy General Manager, he develops the commercial relations of Château Margaux with the Bordeaux wine merchants and their worldwide clients.
Thomas continues to travel regularly to the United States promoting the wines of Château Margaux.
Sustainable development Manager
Aurélie Dutreux
Holder of an engineering degree, Aurélie Dutreux worked for a few years in a large construction company. However, convinced that action is needed to preserve the environment, she changes her path and undergoes training to lead Sustainable Development in business. Thus, in 2020, Aurélie joins Château Margaux as a Mission Officer before becoming the Sustainable Development Manager. She collaborates with the leadership on the CSR strategy, aiming to help understand, measure, and ultimately reduce our environmental impact while guiding us on carbon footprint assessments.
Business Development Manager China
Victor Zeng
After studying French literature and journalism, Victor Zeng began his wine career with a major Chinese importer.
Victor not only has an excellent knowledge of the Chinese market but also enjoys sharing his passion for wine, which he has had the opportunity to do by leading numerous training sessions, notably through the WSET.
Charged with developing the wines of Château Margaux in China, he joined the estate in October 2022. Based in Chengdu, he will help us to better understand this market and to forge closer links with its major actors. As part of his duties, he will travel throughout China.
v.zeng@chateau-margaux.com
Team
Park and gardens
Bertrand, our Head Gardener, together with Serge and Yannick, bring his expertise and passion to enhancing the gardens of Château Margaux. Season after season, they maintain, beautify, and make every corner of the estate bloom, revealing the full splendor of this exceptional place.