Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion 2016

Located across the road from Chateau Haut Brion, Chateau la Mission Haut Brion began in 1533 when Jean de Pontac purchased the property. He was the owner of Chateau Haut Brion at the time. Arnaud de Lestonnac purchased a plot of land known as Arregedhuys and he married Jean de Pontac sister, Marie.

In 1548, Arnaud died and his 4th son, Pierre, took over the estate. His daughter Olive de Lestonnac would transform the estate. She was married and widowed three times and without any heirs, she donated the property to Lazarists of Bordeaux. They were known as the Priest of la Mission. The estate was seized during the revolution and sold to Martial-Victor Vaillant.

For the next 100 years, it was owned by the Chiapella family. The Chiapella family were from Louisiana which allowed for very easy sales to the United States. In 1884, the Chiappela family sold the estate. The Chateau had numerous owners until the Woltner family purchased the estate in 1919.

The Woltners began to modernize the winery. In 1927, they introduced a white wine called Laville Haut Brion. The Woltner era ended in 1983, when the estate was sold to Domaine Clarence Dillon, Owner of Chateau Haut Brion.

The Chateau produces between 6,000 and 7,000 cases of the Grand Vin each year. The vineyard is planted 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc. The vineyards are 52 acres in 2 plots and straddles the communes of Pessac and Talence.