The estate was founded in the seventeenth century by the religious congregation of La Mission. The Château has been owned by a number of families over the centuries, and the estate has always produced superb wines which will stand the test of time. La Mission's illustrious neighbour - Château Haut-Brion - has never overshadowed the estate, and in 1983 Haut-Brion's owners the Dillon family added La Mission to their portfolio of châteaux.

The vineyards are planted with 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, producing wines which are dense and full-bodied, accented with the smoky notes so typical of the Pessac appellation. The wines are fairly tannic when young, becoming smoother and more sophisticated with time.

The estate's finest vintages include:

2000,  1989, 1982, 1975, 1961, 1959, 1955, 1953, 1950, 1949, 1948, 1947, 1945, 1929