Château Rieussec was founded by an order of Carmelite monks before it was confiscated by the government during the French Revolution and then auctioned to the Marheilhac family in 1790. It was ranked as a Premier Cru in Sauternes during the 1855 Classification. In 1984, Château Lafite Rothschild purchased the estate, and over the years, has expanded the vineyards to almost 90 hectares. The vines are planted to 90% Sémillon, 7% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscadelle over gravel, sand, clay and limestone soils.