The production area of AOC Barsac is separated from the other communes that make up Sauternes by the Ciron River. It is believed that AOC Sauternes was established as a collective designation for the neighboring communes as part of a marketing strategy. However, since Barsac was already well-known, it was also granted its own AOC status.
The soil in Barsac is similar to that of Bas-Preignac in Bas-Barsac, but the soil in Haut-Barsac differs from that of the other AOC Sauternes areas. Additionally, Barsac’s lower elevation is another distinguishing factor compared to the other AOC Sauternes regions.