The wines of Côtes de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire have always rivalled those from the regions further inland. In fact, the medieval town of Saint-Macaire in South Gironde formed the frontier between the inland High Country and the vineyards of Bordeaux.
In the Middle Ages, wines from the High Country were held back in storage, particularly in the cellars of Saint-Macaire, to boost the Bordeaux wine trade. The so-called privilège bordelais banned these High-Country wines from the port of Bordeaux until Christmas. After the French Revolution, however, this privilege was abolished.