Summary

The Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion is a wine-growing district north-east of Bordeaux (Gironde, France) covering an area of 7,847 hectares and eight communes. Its current organization goes back to the 13^th century. It is delimited in the south by the Dordogne and in the north by the Barbanne, and it is composed of a plateau (partly wooded), hillsides, valleys and a plain. The first traces of human occupation date back to prehistoric times. Archaeological finds indicate that vines were cultivated in the area as early as the 4^th century. Agricultural and wine-production activity started to develop around the town in the 8^th century, during the life of the hermit Emilion. The interaction between humans and the vine has continued to develop without a break since then, becoming a living heritage. This long history of wine-production has left its mark on the monuments, architecture and landscape of the Jurisdiction. The association of the built and the non-built landscape, of stones, vineyards, wood and water, makes this an outstanding cultural landscape.

Criteria

Criterion (iii): The Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion is an outstanding example of a historic wine-production landscape which has survived intact and active up to the present day.

Criterion (iv): The historic Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion is a remarkable illustration of a clearly delimited area where vines are grown intensively for wine production.