150 years of history
In the Médoc, the designation “Cru Artisan” has existed for over 150 years, alongside other prestigious families of Medoc crus. This name refers to properties that had other activities in addition to the cultivation of vines (mixed agriculture: raising cattle, growing cereals, bakers, …) as compared to, Crus Paysans and Crus Bourgeois. During the 20th century the notion of Cru Artisan not only survived, but also gained in stature thanks to the efforts of several winemakers and their ‘savoir-faire’. Today, this designation applies to forty properties in the Médoc, Haut-Médoc and communal appellations of the peninsula (for a total of 350 hectares of vineyards).
The legal protection of the term ensures wine drinkers can have complete trust in the quality it represents.
Wines for those who know their wine
Why are these properties known as “Crus Artisan” today? An “artisan” is a craftsman; someone completely familiar with the smallest details of their craft, guaranteeing a precise application of a talent forged by tradition and popular culture.
A Cru Artisan is a sign of authenticity.
Artisans are self-employed in family properties, directly responsible for the quality of their wines…and the quality of the welcome they offer to visitors. Producers of Cru Artisan wines are running a family business of modest size (an average of eight hectares of vines) selling directly to the consumer.
A visitor to the property is assured of meeting the winemaker, who will gladly open the cellar doors to a fellow wine lover.
A varied and affordable range
The passion for winemaking is a strong one! Today, Crus Artisans are found in several Médoc appellations and offer the wine lover a large range of wines at affordable prices. True products of terroir, they are a repertoire of wines truly worth discovering!
In the 1868 edition of the celebrated book “Bordeaux and Its Wines” by Cocks and Féret, there are references to the Médoc’s Crus Artisans, proof of the long-standing efforts of this category of winemakers to produce wines known for their quality.
Nowadays, unique in the world, The Cru Artisan designation achieved a singular distinction when it appeared in the French official record on January 11th, 2006. No other vineyard in the world can claim this honour. The last set of specifications was officially published in 2017.