In the Middle Ages Bourg was a major wine port and its vineyard spread along the bank of the estuary as the life and trade of the river grew. The Côtes de Bourg appellation made its debut on the right bank of the Gironde, to the north of Bordeaux's patchwork of vineyards. Situated 30km north of Bordeaux, the vineyard is spread over 15 villages surrounding the small town of Bourg-sur-Gironde and its terroir is very varied. The undulating region is composed of clay-limestone, silty and sandy soils, and the appellation benefits from a very favourable dry and temperate microclimate.

The Porte Royale, one of two entrances to the citadel of Blaye, was built in 1685. Its sophistication makes it one of Vauban’s major works: two fixed bridges; a ravelin; a turret; and an egg-shaped hallway protected by two draw-bridges, all designed to provide protection against possible enemy attack.