Fabien Teitgen

Fabien Teitgen is the Managing Director, agronomist, and oenologist at Château Smith Haut Lafitte in Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, where he joined in October 1995 as vineyard manager, advanced to technical director for six years, and has led technical and operational aspects for over 20 years. Named Winemaker of the Year by the Guide Hachette des Vins in 2021, he oversees sustainable practices including organic and biodynamic winemaking, optical sorting, and custom barrel selection by tasting wood in the forest. Teitgen also manages the Cathiard Vineyard in Napa Valley, acquired in 2020, adapting Bordeaux techniques to produce elegant Cabernet Sauvignon-focused wines.