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Generational change at Château Margaux as Alexis Leven-Mentzelopoulos named CEO
Alexis Leven-Mentzelopoulos is to take over at Château Margaux as his mother Corinne Mentzelopoulos, who has headed up the holding company of the chateau for 43 years, retires.
Leven-Mentzelopoulos, the third generation of the family, joined the family estate in 2020 as business development director, but for the last two years he has served as deputy general manager in charge of strategy and development.
He will be supported in his new role by managing director Philippe Bascaule, along with a team of professionals dedicated to serving Château Margaux.
Corinne’s daughter Alexandra Petit-Mentzelopoulos, who joined the Château Margaux team in 2012 as a brand ambassador before being appointed deputy managing director of communication and image of the holding company in 2016, will become president of the Supervisory Board.
Corinne Mentzelopoulos, who took on the running of the chateau when she was only 27, said she was deeply proud to see Alexis take over the reins of the company she had managed for 43 years.
“It’s a natural progression in this great family adventure. With Alexandra at his side, his human and operational qualities will enable him to meet the challenges of the future and ensure that Château Margaux retains its position. I have every confidence in the future of Château Margaux because I know that he will be able to continue the tradition of excellence that Château Margaux has maintained for five centuries, in a constant quest for progress and innovation”.
Leven-Mentzelopoulos noted the role of his grandfather, André Mentzelopoulos, who bought Château Margaux in 1977 “and continued to raise it to excellence”.
“After his death, my mother rose to the challenge, maintaining Château Margaux’s position as the only First Growth of the Appellation. Like her, I will be putting all my energy into developing the estate, while remaining committed to the long-term spirit of excellence. Along with my sister, I am firmly committed to continuing the family objective of making Château Margaux one of the greatest wines in the world,” he said.
Leven-Mentzelopoulos told Decanter that there wouldn’t be any significant changes in the immediate future and confirmed that the existing winemaking and “fantastic” technical teams would remain in place.