Throughout the twentieth
century, the Saint-Emilion
winemakers have worked to
improve the wines and to
define quality criteria. The
establishment of the AOC
Saint-Emilion and the
introduction of a revised
ranking in 1954 were crucial
steps. They assert the huge
reputation of Saint-Emilion
wines in the ever
increasingly international
public’s minds. Moreover,
this is where, on a global
level, the unique history of
the vineyards of Saint-
Emilion is consecrated. In
1999 it was registered as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site
as part of the cultural
landscape. This recognition
salutes a history of over
2000 years of close
interactions between the
people and an exceptional
terroir.