Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA has appointed Ariane Khaida to become Executive Director, Chateaux Wines (Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Clerc Milon, Chateau d’Armailhac, and Domaine de Baronarques) starting 1 July 2020.
Khaida will also sit on the board of directors of Opus One, Almaviva and Baronarques. She was formerly at leading Bordeaux merchant Duclot.
Khaida succeeds Philippe Dhalluin, who has decided to retire after more than 17 years as manager of the company. To ensure a smooth handover, Dhalluin will continue to serve as Adviser to the Chairman until 1 December 2020.
Chairman and CEO of Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA, Philippe Sereys de Rothschild paid this tribute.
“My family and I express our deepest thanks to Philippe Dhalluin for all his wonderful work. Over the last 17 years, he has taken Mouton Rothschild and our other family chateaux to an unprecedented level of excellence and reputation. He has also been successful in attracting and training the necessary talents to continue our unceasing quest for excellence”.
A new position has been created in the company.
Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy – previously director of Chateau Clerc Milon for the last 10 years – will become Estates Manager and Head Winemaker with technical responsibility for Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Clerc Milon and Chateau d’Armailhac.
Erick Tourbier – until now technical director of Chateau Mouton Rothschild under Philippe Dhalluin – will become Technical Winemaking Adviser to the chairman. Tourbier will have a wider role spanning the wines of estate wines and the branded wines of the group.