The first growth on the vineyard started as early as 1365 before it went through many hands of many prestigious owners in the 18th century. Today, Smith Haut Lafitte's tradition of wine-making combined with the most modern winemaking techniques and age-old methods: organic compost, small wooden vats, ageing on the lees in barrel, etc. have created elegant red wine with sophisticated bouquet which reflects truly on the brand.

Pessac-Léognan is a wine growing area and Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, in the northern part of the Graves region of Bordeaux. Unlike most Bordeaux appellations, Pessac-Léognan is recognised for both red and (dry) white wine, although red wine is still predominant. It includes the only red-wine producer outside the Haut-Médoc classified in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, the premier cru Château Haut-Brion, and also all of the châteaux listed in the 1953/59 classification of Graves. These classed growths account for a third of the wine produced in Pessac-Léognan.