Jean-Michel Cazes

Jean-Michel Cazes
Born	(1935-03-25) March 25, 1935
Died	June 28, 2023(2023-06-28) (aged 88)
Occupation(s)	Winemaker, businessman
Known for	Management of AXA Millésimes wine portfolio, Château Lynch-Bages

Jean-Michel Cazes (25 March 1935 – 28 June 2023) was a prominent French figure in both the winemaking and insurance sectors. He oversaw the wine portfolio of AXA Millésimes until the year 2000, while also managing the family’s insurance business and their estates until 2006. He was the descendant of André Cazes and grandson to Jean-Charles Cazes, who originally acquired the family’s initial vineyards.

Biography

Cazes completed his studies at the École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris in 1958, where he was also active in playing rugby. Subsequently, he pursued a Master of Science degree specializing in petroleum engineering at the University of Texas, graduating in 1960 as a Rotary Scholar. Between 1960 and 1962, he served in the French Air Force, achieving the rank of lieutenant. His corporate career began as sales manager at IBM France from 1962 to 1971, followed by his role as president of STAD (part of the Empain-Schneider Group) from 1971 to 1973, both based in Paris.

Around 1973 or 1974, Cazes returned to Pauillac to take charge of the family’s insurance ventures and wine estates, including leadership of Château Lynch-Bages. The portfolio also encompassed Chateau Villa Bel Air, Château Les Ormes-de-Pez, Château Cordeillan-Bages—which he transformed into a hotel featuring a two-Michelin-star restaurant—L'Ostal Cazes located in Languedoc, Domaine des Sénéchaux in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, as well as international properties such as Xisto in Portugal and Tapanappa in South Australia’s Coonawarra region.

Up until 2000, he directed AXA Millésimes’ vineyard assets. This subsidiary of the French insurer AXA specialized in winery investments. Their Bordeaux holdings included prestigious estates such as Château Pichon Longueville Baron, Château Suduiraut, Cantenac Brown, and Petit Village. Outside France, AXA’s portfolio featured Quinta do Noval in Portugal’s Douro Valley and Disznókő, known for Tokaji production, situated in Hungary.

Starting from 1990, Cazes actively pursued expansion into the Chinese market, conducting visits to wineries near Beijing and participating in events during the 2008 Olympic Games. By that year, approximately five percent of Lynch-Bages’ production was sold within China.

His contributions were recognized with the award of La Croix de Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur in 2002. Additionally, Decanter honored him as "Man of the Year" in 2003. In 2006, he retired from active management duties, entrusting leadership to his son Jean-Charles Cazes.

Jean-Michel Cazes passed away on 28 June 2023 at the age of 88.

See also

• List of wine personalities