Latour’s history as an esteemed wine producing estate can be traced back to the 17th century. By the time Latour passed into the Ségur family in 1760 it was already considered one of the greatest wines in Bordeaux. Official recognition came in 1855 when Latour was classified as Premier Cru along with Lafite, Margaux, and Haut-Brion. By 1962 the property was in the hands of the Beaumont and Courtrivon families, who opted to divest the majority of their shares to S. Pearsons and Sons Ltd and Harveys of Bristol. Harry Waugh, at the time a buyer for Harveys, became one of the directors of Château Latour. Changes at the estate came again in 1964 when new vines were planted, and stainless steel vats and automatic cooling were introduced. 1966 saw the introduction of a second label, Les Forts de Latour. The narrative evolved once again in 1989 when Allied Lyons PLC, owners of Harveys, bought out the Pearson’s holdings. In 1993, French industrialist Francois Pinault purchased a controlling stake in the Château, with Frederic Engerer taking the helm as director.