A richly woven portrait of Bordeaux—its wines, wine makers, and châteaux— pairing Peter Aaron’s photographs from 1969 and 2024 with Jane Anson’s wine expertise to illuminate the region’s dramatic evolution over the past 50 years

Bordeaux Chronicle presents a deeply evocative portrait of the world’s most celebrated wine region through the lens of photographer Peter Aaron and the authoritative perspective of writer Jane Anson. When Aaron first traveled to Bordeaux in 1969—introduced through his father, Sam Aaron of Sherry–Lehmann, and commissioned by wine entrepreneur Alexis Lichine —he encountered a landscape dramatically different from the polished, internationally renowned destination known today. His early images depict a quiet, work–centered Bordeaux defined by weathered cellars, family–run châteaux, and an agricultural rhythm largely untouched by global tourism. These photographs capture a viticultural world rooted in tradition, modest architecture, and the lived experiences of multigenerational winemaking families.

More than 50 years later, Aaron returned to revisit the estates he had documented decades earlier. In place of the understated rural backdrop of 1969, he discovered a revitalized Bordeaux marked by architecturally ambitious châteaux, expanded vineyards, cutting–edge wine–making facilities, and a flourishing international presence. His contemporary photographs—juxtaposed with those from his original journey—reveal not only the region’s aesthetic and technological transformation but also its continued regard for heritage, craftsmanship, and terroir. The visual dialogue underscores the dynamism of Bordeaux while honoring its enduring cultural identity.

Jane Anson’s accompanying text provides essential context and interpretation, illuminating the social, environmental, and economic forces that have shaped Bordeaux’s evolution across five decades. With unparalleled expertise, she examines the region’s estates, appellations, and wine–making families, offering a narrative that is both historically rich and grounded in contemporary scholarship. Together, Aaron and Anson create a compelling chronicle of continuity and change, revealing Bordeaux as a place where tradition and modernity coexist in vibrant dialogue.