Château Smith Haut Lafitte, located along the Bordeaux Wine Route in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux, boasts a rich history dating back to the 14th century. The estate's origins began with the noble house of Verrier Du Boscq, who planted the first vines on the gravelly plateau known as Lafitte in 1365. In 1720, Scottish wine merchant George Smith purchased the property, added his name to it, and built the iconic manor house that still stands today​.

Modern Renaissance

The modern era of Château Smith Haut Lafitte began in 1990 when Daniel and Florence Cathiard acquired the estate. Former Olympic skiers, the Cathiards brought a fresh vision, innovations, and significant investments to rejuvenate the château. Their dedication has transformed Château Smith Haut Lafitte into one of Bordeaux’s most prestigious wineries​.

Sustainable and Innovative Winemaking

Château Smith Haut Lafitte is a beacon of sustainable and forward-thinking winemaking, blending tradition with cutting-edge innovation. Each grape is carefully hand-harvested and meticulously sorted, first on vibrating tables and then through advanced optical sorting, ensuring only the finest fruit makes it into the wine. The estate’s commitment to biodynamic agriculture and biodiversity is unwavering, further exemplified by their groundbreaking “stealth” winery—a marvel of design and sustainability. This state-of-the-art facility operates on positive energy, consuming minimal resources while generating its own solar power. It also features rainwater recovery systems and a ground-coupled heat exchanger to naturally cool the barrel cellars. In 2014, Château Smith Haut Lafitte took a bold step forward by installing the world’s first system to recycle CO2 emissions from fermentation, cementing its reputation as a leader in eco-friendly viticulture.

The Cooperage

In 1993, Daniel Cathiard made the visionary decision to bring on a master cooper, a move that has transformed the estate's approach to barrel-making. Today, nearly all of Château Smith Haut Lafitte's barrels are crafted in-house, a testament to their dedication to quality and tradition.

The château meticulously selects oak from the finest French forests, chosen for their origin and the finesse of their grain. These oaks, known for their medium tannins, are perfectly suited to the estate's wines. With three decades of expertise, Château Smith Haut Lafitte has mastered the art of imbuing their wines with the elegant aromas that they have become famous for.

Exceptional Wines

The estate produces both red and white wines that embody the complexity and elegance of Bordeaux's terroir. Covering 67 hectares, the vineyard cultivates red grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, alongside white varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Sauvignon Gris.

Château Smith Haut Lafitte's vines are planted in a single block on a Günz gravel plateau within the Pessac-Léognan appellation, resulting in the production of six distinctive wines.

Among these are the Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a Graves Great Growth available in both red and white, and the two second wines, Les Hauts de Smith and Le Petit Haut Lafitte, also offered in red and white. Each wine boasts a unique blend and distinctive aromatic profile.