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36 AOC Crus Artisans du Médoc

The history of this classification.
In the Médoc, the term “Crus Artisans” has officially existed for over 150 years: these small wineries often belonged to craftsmen, such as coopers, wheelwrights, and blacksmiths.

The turning point
This distinction found new life in 1989 with the founding of the Syndicat des Crus artisans du Médoc. They are “autonomous, small- and medium-sized estates at which the manager is actively involved in the operations of his/her vineyard, produces AOC wines, and sells the production that is bottled at the château.”

Criteria
The quality and value of wines produced on small properties  in one of the eight Médoc appellations: Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Listrac, Moulis, Margaux, Saint-Julien, Pauillac, and Saint-Estèphe.

Special labeling
In 1994, European regulations reintroduced this designation and authorized a “Cru Artisan” mention on the wine’s main label.

36 properties, the names of which were published in the Journal Officiel in 2012. The list is reviewed every 5 years.