History certainly left its mark on the territory of the Côtes of Bordeaux.

The Estuary of the Gironde is the meeting point of two rivers playing with more or less large islands on its surface.

By the end of the Pax Romana (70-395) Barbaric troops broke out in successive waves on the Atlantic banks. Then the English settled down in Guyenne and Gascogne till the Castillon Battle in 1453 which marked the end of the 100 Year War. Important chapters in history have been written here.

Vines have been growing in this area since Ancient times. As soon as the II century, Romans planted the first "Vitis Biturica" .

In the IV century Ausone wrote a lot about the region. He described the wines produced on this territory as famous in Roma.

However, the real wine business expanded in the Middle Ages, when Alienor of Aquitaine married Henry Plantagenet. This union opened the London market to our wines.

"In the XIII century, people really appreciated these wines and boats used to ship huge quantities to England" as Bernard Ginestet wrote. " Wine was also sold all around Aquitaine and mainly representing the Bordeaux aristocracy luxury consumption. In those times, wines in Medoc weren't famous yet."

By the second half of the XVII th century, because of their great ability to travel without any problem, the 5 Côtes wines became the favourite beverage of English people who bought them for their colonies.

In 1855 the wine classification made during the World Fair forgot the 5 Côtes de Bordeaux. Nowadays, their lustre is being brought back to each of them as their excellent quality-price ratio is particularly attractive and seduces any wine lover all over the world.

406 : Huns destroy Blaye.

732 : Blaye which has been rebuilt by the Visigoths is ruined by the Moors (Saracens).

1685 : In the reign of Louis XIV, the Citadel is fortified by Vauban and Ferri.

Middle Ages : a harbour is built in Castillon, important stronghold on the Dordogne banks.

17 July 1453 : last battle of the 100 Years' War in Castillon where dies the general Talbot.

Charles VII reconquers Aquitaine.

XVII th century : The Château of Castillon is demolished on the order of Richelieu.

XIIth-XIVth-XVIth centuries : a lot of châteaux, manors and fortresses still testify the importance of these periods.

Many Gallo Roman traces prove vines were planted in those times.

XIth-XIIth centuries : Roman churches (Cardan, Haux, Laroque).

XIIIth century : Feudal castle in Langoiran, important strategic position.

XVIIth century : Castle of the Dukes of Epernon, a prime example of early 17th century architecture, an impressive monument in its day rivaling royal properties.

XVIII th century : The bourgeoisie from Bordeaux controls the wine access to the city. They settle down on the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux slopes and build superb houses also called "folies".

507 : Clovis first king of the Franks defeats the Visigoths, kills their king Alaric II, and takes their French lands, including Aquitaine. The place where settle down the armies is called " ad Francos" meaning that it belongs to the Franks, then " Francs".

1893 : in Tayac, two earthenware vases containing a Ist / II nd century BC treasure are discovered. You can see them in the Musée d'Aquitaine.