Saint-Emilion, located on the 45th parallel, half way between the North Pole and the Equator, is only 48 km to the East of Bordeaux and 6 km from Libourne, in the centre of the Gironde department. The "aux milles châteaux" appellation - more than 800 registered growers in tangible terms - for a surface area of 5,400 hectares or 6 % of the vineyards in the Bordeaux region, is exceptional with respect to the density of properties and quality wines in the Girondin wine growing area, which itself is made up of 56 other appellations. This wide variety of vintage wines combined with the geological complexity - plateau, hill tops, mid-slopes and base of hillsides - is what forms the multiplicity of styles of Saint-Emilion wines.
 

In 1958, this reputation for good wine which was split into two appellations (Saint-Emilion, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru) brought about the first decennial regulations in Aquitaine.

55 grand crus and 13 châteaux with first class Grand Cru in categories "A" and "B" including Château Cheval Blanc and Château Ausone, were approved at the last classification in 1996.

Blessed with an oceanic climate characterised by warm temperatures and an ideal volume of precipitation, the medieval town of Saint-Emilion (registered as world heritage with the UNESCO since 1999) produces great, extremely delicate and velvety-smoot!l wines that the entire world envies.