The Dillon Family restored to Château Haut-Brion its well- founded prestige. The Dillons brought back the tradition and pride of family ownership historically attached to Haut-Brion. Introducing select advances in technology to the vineyards, they have opened the door for continuation of the great tradition of Haut-Brion into the Twenty-first century.

The Dillon Family was presented with the prestigious Pilier d'Or of the French Institute/Alliance Française by His Excellency Mr. François Bujon de l'Estang, the Ambassador of France to the United States and Mr. John H.F. Haskell, Jr., Président, French Institute/Alliance Française on November 9th, 1998 at The Pierre in New York.

The Pilier d'Or was established to honor those people who have had a lasting impact on the development of the French Institute/ Alliance Française and who have fostered the appreciation of French and American culture throughout their lives. The Dillon Family, which includes the descendants of C. Douglas Dillon, former U.S. Ambassador to France, has played a prominent role in the French Institute/Alliance Française's history since the 1920s