Born and raised in Pauillac, Jean-Michel Cazes obtained a MS degree in engineering from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris in 1959. He then spent a year in the United States at the University of Texas (1959-1960), specializing in petroleum engineering and geology. After two years of service in the French Air Force, he joined IBM-France in Paris in 1962 and spent 12 years with the company. In 1973, Cazes returned to his hometown of Pauillac to help his father, André, with the family insurance agency and wine business. 

With his family, Cazes conducted a major renovation program at their two vineyards: Château Lynch-Bages and Château Les Ormes de Pez which were at that time in rather poor condition. Over nearly 20 years, the renovations saw new cellars built on the properties and the construction of modern fermentation and bottling facilities. As a result of these efforts, the quality of the wines greatly improved. Lynch-Bages is now one of the most sought after Crus Classés of the Medoc region. 

In addition to the original two vineyards, Jean-Michel Cazes and his family also own Chateau Villa Bel Air (Graves) near the city of Bordeaux. They have expanded in other wine regions of France with l’Ostal Cazes in the Languedoc and Domaine des Sénéchaux in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, as well as in vineyards in Portugal (Quinta do Meco) in partnership with the Douro-based Roquette family of Quinta do Crasto. Jean-Michel Cazes and his wines have won numerous awards over the last 30 years.

 

In 2003, Jean-Michel Cazes created Château Cordeillan-Bages, a “Relais & Chateaux” chain hotel and a restaurant, featuring chef Jean-Luc Rocha, who was awarded two Michelin stars. In 2003, he undertook a complete renovation of  the village of Bages, adjacent to the Lynch-Bages estate, establishing a brasserie-style restaurant (Café Lavinal), a traditional bakery and grocery store (Comptoir d’Andréa), a butcher shop (Boucherie de Bages), an upscale gift and wine store (Bages’ Bazaar), the Cordeillan-Bages cooking school and a wine school named “Cercle Lynch-Bages”. VINIV, a custom crush facility that offers hobby vignerons the chance to make their own wine in a top-quality winemaking environment is also located in the village. As a result, Bages has become a destination that attracts fine wine and  food lovers the world over.

 

Travelling in France and abroad, Jean-Michel Cazes has been for many years doing his best to promote the image of the region, thus gaining recognition as one of the best ambassadors of the wines of Bordeaux. He has consistently been active in opening his cellars to visitors 

 

He was awarded the highest French distinction, Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, in 2002.

 

Married to Maria-Thereza, they have four children (three daughters and one son), five grand-daughters and one grandson.