Château Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the crown jewels of Pessac-Léognan, an estate that combines deep history with a distinctly modern spirit of innovation. Its origins trace back to the 14th century, but the château took its name in the 18th century when Scottish navigator George Smith acquired the property and exported its wines under his own name. The “Haut Lafitte” part refers to the gravelly plateau — or “la fite” in old Gascon dialect — that defines the estate’s exceptional terroir.
The estate spans around 78 hectares of vines, planted predominantly to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc for the reds, alongside Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Sauvignon Gris for the whites. These gravel-rich soils, warmed by the sun and tempered by nearby forests and streams, create wines of elegance, minerality, and longevity — a signature that has made Smith Haut Lafitte one of the most respected names in Graves.
Since 1990, the property has been owned by Florence and Daniel Cathiard, who have transformed it into a modern Bordeaux icon. Their stewardship has been marked by relentless pursuit of quality, with investments in both the vineyard and the cellar. Hand harvesting, parcel-by-parcel vinification, and the introduction of gravity-flow cellars all contribute to precision winemaking. The Cathiards also place a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship: the estate is a pioneer in organic and biodynamic practices, maintaining a self-sufficient philosophy that includes their own cooperage, vegetable gardens, and even natural water recycling systems.
Smith Haut Lafitte is unique in producing both a red Grand Vin, renowned for its smoky, silky, and complex expression of Pessac-Léognan, and a white Grand Vin, widely considered one of the finest dry whites in all of Bordeaux. Both wines consistently command international acclaim and are prized by collectors for their ability to age gracefully over decades.
This balance of history, innovation, and artistry has earned Château Smith Haut Lafitte its place among Bordeaux’s elite. It is a château that not only respects its centuries-old heritage but also embodies the dynamism of modern Bordeaux winemaking, delivering wines that are as thoughtful as they are thrilling.