Since the chateau, which adjoins the grounds of Chateau Lafite, was first acquired by Baron Nathaniel Rothschild, it has passed through five generations of family ownership but none of the owners has done more for the rep- uation of the wine than Baron Philippe de Rothschild, who took charge of the estate in 1922. In addition to making some of the best vines in the region, the estate also has a superb wine museum. The construction of the museum, which is partly underground, was accomplished in such great secrecy by Baron Philippe so that when it ceremoniously opened in 1962, many of the nearby winemakers and villagers were completely surprised because they thought they knew everything that took place in their community. With paintings, tapestries, pottery and every kind of wine receptacle known, some of which date back more than 9,000 years, and many of which are made of gold and silver set with precious jewels, the museum makes an unforgettable visit. Starting in 1924, Baron Philippe's exquisite sense of showmanship also extended to the labels on the bottles of the chateau.
Every year has a different label, each bearing a design commissioned by a leading artist.
The labels, painted by such notables as Marc Chagall, Salvadore Dali, Dufour, Braque, Cocteau and Miro so special that the originals have been put together in a collection that now travels around the world and appears in the most prestigious Modern Art Museums of America, Europe and Asia. If one of these bottles occasionally shows up at an action, it was originally given as a gift by Baron Philippe. Almost from the moment he took over the Chateau, Baron Phillippe, who was generally acknowledged as a flamboyant and multi-talented genius, led the fight to have the wine elevated to its higher, well justified category. Finally, after more than fifty years, when the change was made, the Baron celebrated by serving his workers a jerobaom of Mouton Rothschild 1923, the first vintage year after he took over as proprietor. Second I was.