Description

The history of Château Haut-Brion, the oldest of Bordeaux’s Grands Crus, lasted five centuries. Its name refers to the Gascon toponym “Haut Brion” which designates a gravelly terrace. Jean de Pontac (1488-1589) bought the noble house of Haut-Brion, giving birth to a large vineyard whose durability will be assured over the centuries. He undertook the construction of the Castle in 1549. The historian Paul Roudie will not hesitate to qualify the residence of “first castle authentically vinicole”.

In 1855, Haut Brion rose to the rank of Premier Cru Classé. In 1935, Château Haut-Brion was acquired by the American banker Clarence Dillon. Later in 1939, he turned it into a hospital to accommodate the wounded officers of the French army. Since then, the property is still part of the same family, but winemaking is now the only activity of the esate, where several white and red wines are created.