Nathaniel de Rothschild
Nathaniel de Rothschild | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date London, England |
| Died | February 19, 1870 (aged 57) Paris, France |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, financier, vintner |
| Known for | Founder of Château Mouton Rothschild |
Nathaniel de Rothschild (1812–1870) was a prominent entrepreneur, financier, and vintner who established Château Mouton Rothschild.
Early life
Nathaniel was born in London on 2 July 1812 as the fourth offspring of Nathan Mayer Rothschild and Hannah W. Cohen. He was a member of the powerful Rothschild banking family of England, which maintained close connections with its French counterparts. During his thirties, a hunting mishap curtailed his public engagements.
Career
In 1850, Nathaniel relocated to Paris to become part of the banking enterprise managed by his uncle, James Mayer Rothschild. Three years afterward, he acquired Château Brane Mouton, a 65-acre vineyard located in Pauillac, from a Parisian banker for 1,175,000 francs. He subsequently renamed the estate Château Mouton Rothschild, which evolved into one of the globe’s most esteemed wine producers.
In 1868, his uncle purchased the adjacent and significantly larger Château Lafite vineyard, a distinguished first growth property. This sparked a familial competition since Château Mouton held the second position in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. In response, Nathaniel adopted the motto: Premier ne puis, second ne daigne, Mouton suis ("First I cannot be, second I do not choose to be, Mouton I am").
Personal life
In 1842, Nathaniel wed Charlotte de Rothschild, daughter of James Mayer Rothschild. Their offspring included James Edouard de Rothschild and Arthur de Rothschild.
The couple purchased 33 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris in 1856 and remodeled it into their urban residence after the Russian Embassy's lease concluded in 1864. This property was later inherited by their son Arthur and sold in 1918.
In 1878, Nathaniel acquired the ruins of the Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay near Vallée de Chevreuse, restoring it and converting it into an upscale country estate.
The ownership of Château Mouton Rothschild was passed down to his son James Nathan and later to his great-grandson Philippe de Rothschild.
Death and legacy
Nathaniel died on 19 February 1870 in Paris, France.
After his passing, his heirs showed minimal involvement in winemaking. It was only 118 years later that under the guidance of his great-grandson Philippe de Rothschild (1902–88), Château Mouton achieved distinction as the sole French vineyard to be elevated to a First Growth status.