IN THE PAST:
The AOC Graves de Vayres belongs to the Entre-Deux-Mers Appellation. This vast area is located between by two rivers, the Garonne and the Dordogne, restricted at the limit of the Gironde department.
The Graves de Vayres, located at approximatly twenty miles from Bordeaux and fifteen from Saint-Emilion, on the left bank of the Dordogne, elaborated in Vayres, a small city between Bordeaux and Libourne .
This old town was built at roman time and was first named Varatedo. It was the first stop of the Bordeaux-Perigueux roman road, it howes its name from Commander Varius, who was in charge of the garrison under Octavus Emperor reign.
The Graves de Vayres Appellation is also due to the gravelly soil. It is made of gravels, sand and in less proportions of clay and silt, which suits particularly well to the vineyard.
Vayres is an old and proud city, indeed in prehistoric times, human being presence has been attested on the terraces above the Dordogne.
During the Gallo-Roman era, Vineyard was largely cultivated.
After the barbarians invasions, the Lords of Vayres built a castle, symbol of the feudal power.
This castle listed as a historical monument is one of the main strongholds of Aquitaine and surely deserves a guided tour.