A Rothschild to Remember, Baron Elie de Rothschild

AUGUST 9, 2007 TAGS: FOOD, WINE, FAMILY, TRADITION ADD A COMMENT

When the Nazis occupied France during the Second World War, they used the vineyards of the Lafite Rothschild estate as soldier barracks and staging grounds. The storied vineyard had survived unwelcome intruders many times before. A rare and dangerous strain of aphids swarmed the pauillac vines in the late nineteenth century and threatened the prémièr crus rating bestowed upon the property in the 1868. Baron James de Rothschild, patriarch of the powerful French banking family, bought what was then known as Château Lafite and re-named it Lafite Rothschild a few years later.

Elie de Rothschild was the grandson of James. He took over the family vineyard after the Germans had retreated from France. The cellars were raided and the vines neglected. Elie and his brother had served in the French military during the war and were taken as prisoners of war. Elie restored the vineyard to its past glory in only a few years, producing respectable vintages in the early 1950s. Baron Elie de Rothschild died on August 6 while hunting in Austria. He was 90.

While known for his business skills, some of his vintages of the 1960s and 1970s fell off in quality. He handed the vineyard over to his nephew, Eric de Rothschild, in the mid-70s, who brought the appellation to new heights internationally and firmly planted the Rothschild name as the force in commercial wine distribution in France. Elie’s time at the helm ensured this later success.

But wine was hardly Elie’s passion. He was an avid polo enthusiast and maintained involved in the family’s banking enterprises as well. His patrician mustache and finely tailored English suits spoke to his refinement and pride in his station. He had married his wife while in captivity during the war. Like Abelard and Heloise, they each proposed and wed through their letters. Baron Elie de Rothschild led a fascinating life of privilege, hard work and mercurial enjoyment. A life that is celebrated with each emptied bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild.