Arnaud Christiaens is the Founder of the SGC Group, a revolutionary wine producer that was born out of pure passion and a dream to create a world class wine from the best soils within Bordeaux. SGC, which has been described as the “Tesla of Wine” for its innovative and scientific approach to soil analysis, produces only from the highest rated parcels of land. The specific locations of these remarkable parcels remain within the SGC community, adding further to the romance of these great wines. Arnaud was first to introduce a soil ranking system as an integral part to the wine making process and this distinctive approach is captured in the wine’s balance between power and finesse, structure and texture.
A lifelong oenophile, Arnaud has always held the venerable wines of Bordeaux in the highest regard. His knowledge and respect for the region, combined with his inherent desire to challenge the status quo, led him to develop a business model that would turn the market on its head. He set out to find the best-untapped terroir in the region through in-depth soil analysis, thus adding a new layer of sophistication to Bordeaux’s premier status in the wine producing industry.
Under his tireless direction, SGC continues with a process of searching out new parcels of land which meet their exceptionally high standards and criteria, bringing them to light and earning him a reputation as something of a pioneer. When it comes to legacies, Arnaud thinks less like a businessman and more like a patron, a change maker. He sees SGC as a force in support of the extraordinary in an industry that has remained relatively conservative.
Previous to SGC, Arnaud was a leading European financier for 20 years having published two books on the history and techniques of alternative asset management. Arnaud left in 2006 to pursue his passion for wine – founding SGC in the same year.
Arnaud is a keen sailor, avid skier, sportsman and philanthropist. He is primarily based in London.
SGC stands for Le Secret des Grands Crus and is a brand of three Bordeaux wines. SGC is sold only by allocation and successful prospective clients are thereby invited to join the feted Le Cercle Group, the community of SGC owners who meet regularly around the world to celebrate and discuss their shared passions. The SGC allocation is by invitation only and obtained through referral.
The wine of SGC reached global fame when Financial Times critic Jancis Robinson reported the wine as follows “A scheme designed to kick the whole Bordeaux system where it hurts most... I was very impressed by the wines, I take my hat off to the production values of this enterprise.”
John Stimpfig writes about Arnaud’s journey of creating SGC wines and shares that one of the vineyards is located adjacent to those of the First Growths. Decanter is an online platform that shares the latest developments in the wine industry, including new launches, events and news.
Jonathan Ray advises on ‘How to buy the best wines for your superyacht parties’ and includes SGC’s Pomerol, Pauillac, St.Emilion and Médoc in his list while commenting that they are stiff competition for the Bordeaux region’s First Growths and compare to all the premium champagne listed as well.
This City A.M. article entitled 'How a former hedgie manager is challenging the Bordeaux status quo', shares Arnaud’s story and trajectory from hedge fund manager to wine industry entrepreneur.
Co-written by Arnaud Christiaens and Jean-Michel Rocchi, Hedge Funds : Investir dans la gestion alternative aujourd'hui et demain explores and discusses investing in Alternative Management today and tomorrow.
Hedge Funds: Tome 1, Histoire de la gestion alternative et de ses techniques is written by Arnaud Christiaens and Jean-Michel Rocchi. In the book, they talk about the history of alternative management and its techniques.
Awards & Endorsements
Michel Bettane
French Wine Critic
Michel Bettane, a leading French wine critic described SGC Wine and Arnaud, “You transcend the Médoc gentlemen...You surpass my knowledge of Médoc with this wine! It is sublime... a grape so fine is rare. You have done it better than any existing Médoc appellation today...It is a true grand cru!”.
Gérard Basset OBE
World Champion Sommelier
A quote from Gérard Basset OBE, MS, MW, MBA, a World Champion Sommelier about SGC Wines, "Selection of the parcels is definitely the first step to take into consideration. It is a major evolution in the wine industry. I am very excited to be part of this avant-garde wine, which is SGC. “.
