The Sephora Connection: Why Your Face Cream Belongs to a Grand Cru in Bordeaux

You’ve likely spotted the elegant bottles of Caudalie on the shelves of Sephora, perhaps even reaching for their famous grape water mist. But did you know that this global beauty giant was born not in a lab, but in the vineyards of a Grand Cru estate in Bordeaux?

Today, we’re pouring a glass of Château Smith Haut Lafitte and exploring how one family proved that a grape’s destiny isn't just to be drunk—it’s to be worn.

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The modern legend of Château Smith Haut Lafitte began in 1990, when Daniel and Florence Cathiard purchased the estate. Before becoming vintners, the couple were famous French Olympic ski champions who had successfully transitioned into business, running a sporting goods empire and an advertising firm. They decided to sell their commercial enterprises to pursue a dream of a simpler life in Bordeaux.

For the next two decades, the Cathiards applied a philosophy of "bio-precision" to the vineyard. They eliminated chemical herbicides, reintroduced horses to plow the soil to prevent compaction, and invested heavily in state-of-the-art technology, including optical sorting machines for the grapes. Their relentless drive transformed the estate into one of the most sought-after "Super Seconds" in Bordeaux, rivaling the quality of the region's First Growths.

In 2015, to mark a significant milestone, the estate released a special commemorative "Black Label" for their Grand Vin. This unique design was created to celebrate a dual anniversary: the 650th anniversary of the estate’s founding in 1365, and the 25th anniversary of the Cathiard family’s ownership. The label abandoned the traditional cream background for a striking, elegant black design that symbolized the modern era of the château.

The choice of the 2015 vintage for this honor was fortuitous, as it turned out to be a legendary year for Bordeaux red wines. Critics hailed the 2015 Smith Haut Lafitte as one of the finest wines the estate had ever produced, receiving near-perfect scores.

While the parents were revolutionizing the wine, a different kind of revolution was brewing during the 1993 harvest. The Cathiards' daughter, Mathilde, and her boyfriend (now husband) Bertrand Thomas were helping out at the estate. As the grapes were pressed for wine, the leftover skins, stalks, and seeds—known as pomace—were being discarded, viewed simply as organic waste to be thrown away.

During a tour of the winery, the family met Professor Joseph Vercauteren from the University of Pharmacy in Bordeaux. Upon seeing the piles of discarded grape seeds, the professor famously told Mathilde that she was throwing away "treasure." He explained that grape seeds contain the most powerful antioxidants in the plant world—polyphenols—which are far more effective than Vitamin E at fighting free radicals and skin aging.

Inspired by this scientific revelation, Mathilde and Bertrand launched their skincare brand, Caudalie, in 1995. They patented the extraction of stable grape-seed polyphenols and began creating beauty products. What started as a small project using winery byproducts exploded into a global luxury brand.

Today, these two stories converge at the estate, creating a unique wine tourism destination. From the commemorative Black Label celebrating the wine to the global success of the skincare line, the Cathiard family has successfully unlocked every ounce of potential from their vineyards.

🎨 Art in the Vines
The estate doubles as an open-air art gallery, featuring a stunning collection of contemporary sculptures scattered among the vineyards.

🪵 The Cooperage
To achieve absolute control over their wine's oak character, the château operates its own on-site cooperage to hand-craft its barrels.

🐴 Horse Power
Instead of modern tractors, the estate employs its own team of horses to plow the vineyards, a biodynamic practice that protects the soil's health.

Gunflint (smoky notes), scorched earth, graphite, fresh toast, cedar wood, and warm spices (clove, licorice) from French oak barrels.

Cigar box (tobacco), leather, truffle, forest floor (sous-bois), and gamey meat notes. The texture becomes silky and the graphite note intensifies.

16-18°C (60-64°F). Never serve at "room temperature" if your room is warm. A slightly cooler temperature prevents the alcohol from overpowering the nose and keeps the structure precise.

Large Bordeaux Glass. A wide, tall bowl is essential. This allows enough surface area for oxygenation, which helps soften the firm tannins of the Cabernet Sauvignon and releases the signature "gunflint" and smoky aromas trapped in the wine.

33650 Martillac, France