(TDB) - In particular, a site called the Sarragachies vineyard, which is the oldest in France, and found in the south west region of Saint Mont, holds a range of ancient varieties with useful natural traits.

Located in the foothills of the Pyrenees, this plot is owned by the Pédebernade family, and is a pre-phylloxera vineyard believed to have been planted in the early 1800s, containing as many as 21 different grape varieties, seven of which are unknown.

Today, it is the only vineyard in France to be classified as a historical monument, but in 1999 it was re-discovered by the leading producer in Saint Mont, Producteurs Plaimont – a cooperative of wine producers based in the southwest.