The Pomerol appellation is a small appellation which extends over the commune of the same name, to the east of the Isle river and over part of the communes of Libourne and Lalande-de-Pomerol. Covering an area of 800 hectares, it produces 35,000 hectolitres of red wine only. The soils are gravelly and sandy on the high terrace to the east of the appellation and sandy, siliceous clay and gravelly clay on the middle terraces to the east of the vineyard. The main grape varieties of Pomerol wines are Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec (known as Pressac in the region) and Petit Verdot. The wines can be kept for 5 to 10 years or even longer for the most prestigious vintages.