Château Haut-Brion’s vineyard is located in the commune of Pessac, just a few miles southwest of Bordeaux’s city center. It belongs to thePessac-Léognan appellation, to the north of the Graveswine-growing region. The terrain at Haut-Brion, formed of two large mounds of atype of gravel known as Günzian because it was deposited during the earliestgeologic stage of the Pleistocene epoch, rises between 40 and 50 feet above thebeds of the neighbouring streams. This gravel consists of small stones, includingvarious kinds of quartz, and it is these precious gems that help to giveChâteau Haut-Brion’s wines their distinctive character. The sub-soil consistsof a mixture of clay and sand. The vineyard covers an area of 51 hectares(about 126 acres). Slightly more than 48 hectares are planted with red grapevarieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) andjust under 3 hectares are devoted to white grape varieties (Sémillon andSauvignon Blanc).

ChâteauHaut-Brion was conceived and laid out beginning in 1533 by Jean de Pontac,which makes it the oldest wine estate in Bordeaux.