Saint-Émilion - "Wine & History"

Prior to my last trip to France, Saint-Émilion was just a label that I saw on wine bottles. I knew that good red wines came from this region (especially Merlot), but didn't know anything about the history of the area or it's cultural significance. Romans had started planting vineyards in Saint-Émilion during the second century... and the town is named after a hermit monk Émilion who had carved his home into a rock (it was the monks that came after him that started commercial wine production).

Saint-Émilion is also classified as a "world heritage site" by UNESCO. The town is situated on a limestone plateau... and many buildings are made out of this stone. One of the most unique buildings I saw was a giant church that was built by carving into the limestone and is completely underground. The grayish/white buildings make for a very stark contrast between the lush green vineyards that surround the town. I climbed to the top of the bell tower in town and snapped a few pictures. It's a ridiculously beautiful area.