Jacky Lorenzetti has acquired 50% of the Third Growth estate Chateau d’Issan in Margaux. Lorenzetti already owns Chateaux Lilian Ladouys (Saint Estephe) and Pédesclaux a
nd Haut Milon (Pauillac).
Lorenzetti has family ties in Gironde and made his fortune by selling the real estate group Foncia which he created in 1972. Passionate about rugby, he is also President of Racing Metro 92.
Chateau d’Issan sits on an ancient fortified site and the present chateau building dates back to the 17th century – it even has a moat. Legend has it that the wine at the wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine (famed for introducing the British to claret) to Henry Plantagenet in 1152. During the Hundred Years War the English occupied the original castle at d’Issan which was later burnt down.
The Cruse family have owned d’Issan since 1945. They are a wine merchant family who also own several renowned estates. Two different lines of the Cruse family operate d’Issan and it seems that the family became divided on how to manage the estate.
It is the members of Rola
nd Cruse’s branch of the family who have sold their 50% share in d’Issan to Lorenzetti. Emmanuel Cruse will remain as manager and work with Lorenzetti – the two men know each other well.
Lorenzetti is also in the middle of renovating and restructuring the Fifth Growth Chateau Pédesclaux (purchased in 2009) and the new winery should be completed this year.
