Baroness Philippine de Rothschild has been named as the recipient of the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award, jointly sponsored by the Institute of Masters of Wine and international trade publication The Drinks Business.

The award, which recognises a life-long commitment to wine excellence, has previously been presented to Robert Mondavi (2005), Marchese Piero Antinori (2007), and Jean-Michel Cazes (2011).

The citation on the certificate reads :

“Nominated by a panel of prominent wine industry professionals and members of the Institute of Masters of Wine, this award recognises an outstanding and inspirational figure in the world of wine whose enduring contribution spans a whole career.”

Baroness Philippine de Rothschild is Chairman of the Supervisory Board and majority shareholder of the family company, Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA, and as such sits at the head of a global company selling over 22 million bottles of wine a year.  With her children, she is also the owner of three great Châteaux at Pauillac in the Médoc: Château Mouton Rothschild, Premier Cru Classé, Château d’Armailhac and Château Clerc Milon.

Since the death of her father, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, in 1988 she has modernised the facilities of the family company and extended its product range to include a Mouton Rothschild second wine, Le Petit Mouton, and a premium white wine, Aile d’Argent.  She has also successfully established Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA in several major winegrowing regions in France and abroad, notably in California and in Chile.

Baroness Philippine de Rothschild is a well-known figure in the wine world, and has been honoured by her native France as an Officier de la Légion d’Honneur as well as an Officier des Arts et des Lettres.

The award was presented at a ceremony at VinExpo, Bordeaux, on Tuesday.  Patrick Schmitt, editor of the Drinks Business, introduced the award prior to the presentation by Jean-Michel Valette MW, Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine.

As the Baroness was unable to attend due to illness, the award was accepted on her behalf by her husband Jean-Pierre de Beaumarchais and her younger son Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild.

In his remarks, Jean-Michel Valette MW said: “Through her steadfast devotion to quality and the long term health of a very diverse set of wineries, Baroness de Rothschild has succeeded where few have.  Supervising the growth of a substantial business while maintaining the highest levels of image and prestige across multiple geographies is a rare and commendable achievement.  We are honoured to recognize her lifetime of work.’

Baroness Philippine de Rothschild had earlier provided a statement, which said :

“I am particularly happy to receive this wonderful award from the MW organization, which I treasure so much, and which graces my dear Mouton.  A great wine is a ‘work of art’, as my father Baron Philippe used to say, and I am proud that Mouton carries on this most demanding tradition in the bottle, on the bottle, and at the place where it is made.”

June 18th, 2013