combes rising among the verdant palms
and banana-trees, from the terraces of
the Château de Pau to the imposing heights
of the Pyrenees.

In order to utilise the best land - which is often very steep - the vines can be planted in terraces sometimes taking the shape of an amphitheatre.

The silicoclay soil contains many round pebbles carried down by the mountain streams and glaciers of the Pyrenees.

The wine region divided by a line running from east to west :

To the south of this line the subsoil is formed from the marine sediment deposited
before and during the formation of the Pyrenees.
To the north of this line,the soil is inland soil : Jurançon conglomerate, chalkand clay pebbles
with siliceous gravel-deposited during the formation of the Pyrenees.

The climate can be :

a severe mountain climate: the vines are espalier-trained because of the risk of Spring frost.
a mild oceanic climate: regular rainfall which guarantees that the vines develop properly.
a hot southern climate. particularly with the fine Indian summer enjoyed in Bearn and the south wind
which permits "passerillage" or "raisining", a technique used in the production of the great sweet wines
to allow the grapes to become overripe.

Two white wines enjoying the appellation d'origine controlee (A.O.C.) since 1936
Jurançon wine is produced from vines grown over an area of 1000 hectares on the hillsides
facing the grandeur of the Pyrenees. These ancient vines boast a royal history.
In the 14th century, the Princes of Béarn and the Navarre parliament introduced the concept of "cru",
based on the value of the parcels of vines. This was a first attempt at wine classification in France,
and was introduced in Jurançon long before its use in any other French wine region.
It was meant as a protective measure to preserve the authenticity of the wines.
In 1553, when Henri IV-the future "Henry the Great"-was born Jurançon wine became
a part of French history: when the royal infant was christened, his lips were rubbed
with a clove of garlic and moistened with a drop of Jurançon wine from which he derived
a vigour and an ardent spirit which were never to leave him.
After many centuries-including the many changes that have recently taken place the outstanding quality
of Jurançon wine has been recognised and has regained its aristocratic seal of approval.