The communal appellation is the northern part of the Graves area (Bordeaux) and is named after the two most important villages. It covers 1,300 hectares of vineyards in the communes of Cadaujac, Canéjan, Gradignan, Léognan, Martillac, Mérignac, Pessac, Saint-Médard-d'Eyrans, Talence and Villeneuve-d'Ornon. Before being classified as a separate appellation in 1987, which André Lurton (1924-2019) successfully endeavoured to achieve, the area was called Haut-Graves. In the Middle Ages, Clairet (the name for light red wine) was produced around the town of Pessac.

The dry white wines from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon are produced using barrel fermentation and oak ageing. The red wines are mainly blended from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with proportions of Cabernet Franc and Malbec (Cot). These are the typical grape varieties of the Rive gauche (left bank). However, the cuvées in the vineyards are very different. In 1953 and 1959, 16 châteaux were classified as "Cru Classé de Graves" (then still in the Haut-Graves sub-area within Graves). See the list under Graves.

Map: By Domenico-de-ga, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
modified by N. Tischelmayer 6/2017