The estate was established in 1979 by Jacques Thienpont, who purchased the small 1.6-hectare vineyard, recognizing its potential to produce extraordinary wines. Named after a solitary pine tree on the property, Le Pin quickly gained a reputation for its opulent and concentrated wines, setting it apart from other Bordeaux wines.

It all started with a modest house with a small cellar in the basement, a single stainless steel tank, a hand pump, a press, and a set of used barrels from Chateau Vieux Chateau Certain. The debut vintage in 1979, priced lower than its prestigious neighbour, struggled to find buyers as consumers were unfamiliar with this obscure new property.

The next several vintages remained in small production as 40% of the plot had been replanted, and the grapes were still too young to use. In 1981, Le Pin was finally able to harvest the entire vineyard, which included those replanted in 1978 and those planted before 1956, with an average vineyard age of 28 years old.

The turning point for Le Pin came in 1982, a year that marked a significant moment in the estate's history and elevated its status in the wine world. The 1982 vintage was outstanding across Bordeaux, and Le Pin produced an extraordinary wine that showcased the full potential of its terroir. The wine's remarkable richness, intensity, and balance caught the attention of critics and connoisseurs alike. When Robert Parker bestowed a high score upon Le Pin, word began to spread, and journalists introduced it as the “DRC of Pomerol." Wine collectors rapidly developed a fervent demand for the new cult wine. Over the years, Jacques Thienpont gradually expanded the vineyard to its current 2.7 hectares, and in 2012, a new winery was completed, just in time for the 2011 vintage.

Despite these improvements, Le Pin has maintained its traditional winemaking approach. The grapes, predominantly Merlot, are hand-harvested over a day and a half, with meticulous sorting conducted in the vineyard. Vinification still takes place in stainless steel tanks, and natural yeast is utilized for fermentation. New oak barrels have been employed for malolactic fermentation and aging since 1981, making Le Pin a pioneer of this technique on the Right Bank.

With an average annual production of just 400-600 cases, Le Pin’s wines are exotically concentrated and opulent, with remarkable depth and richness. They often display notes of ripe plum, black cherry, and truffle, along with hints of chocolate and spice. The wines are approachable in their youth but also have the ability to age gracefully, developing even greater complexity over time. Le Pin's dedication to excellence and its unique approach to winemaking have solidified its status as one of Bordeaux's most prestigious and iconic estates, the result of a fortuitous decision and the recognition of exceptional terroir.