The famous winery is located in the commune of Pessac (suburb of Bordeaux) in the Pessac-Léognan area of Graves(Bordeaux). Its origins go back to Arnaud I Pontac (1460-1533), who made a fortune from 1496 as an exporter of wine and vines from Bordeaux. His son Jean de Pontac (1488-1589) built the north wing of the château in 1550. In 1525, he married Jeanne de Bellon, who brought part of the Haut-Brion vineyard into the marriage as a dowry. His sister Marie married Arnaud de Lestonnac (1495-1558), who founded the neighbouring Château La Mission Haut-Brion in 1540. Jean Pontac had 15 children from his three marriages.
![]()
The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.
Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena