Château Lafite Rothschild takes its name from ‘La Hite’ in Gascon dialect – a term for the gravel mound which forms a key part of the terroir.  Winemaking was first recorded here in 1234, when it was under the ownership of Gombaud de Lafite.  It was owned by the Segur family from the 17^th century and in the early 18^th century, Nicolas-Alexandre, marquis de Ségur improved winemaking at the château.  Known as the "Wine Prince", he made Lafite famous in wealthy society across Europe.  Lafite itself became known as "The King's Wine", after Maréchal de Richelieu supported it at Court. Famously, Thomas Jefferson visited the estate and bought Lafite throughout his life.

Lafite was classified a first-growth in the 1855 Classification, and it was purchased by the Rothschild family in 1868.  Currently the estate is run by Saskia de Rothschild, daughter of Baron Eric de Rothschild. 

The estate is on the northern end of Pauillac, separated by St Estèphe by the Jalle de Breuil stream.  The complex terroir can be divided into two main areas: the gravel plateau and the Plateau de Carruades, from which the second wine takes its name.  As well as 110 hectares of vines, the estate has 300 hectares of woods and marshes.