The vine, brought to Provence around 600 BC by the Phocaeans, progressed towards the Narbonne area and later, in 125 BC, with the Romans towards Aquitaine.

Gaillac was the first halt on this west-bound treck which only reached the Bordeaux region after it had conquered the various south-western vineyards, known for a long time as the High Country vineyards.

In the second Century, Montans, Gaillac's neighbouring town, was a renouned centre for potery. Traces of amphoras were found from southern Spain to northern Scotland, witnessing that Gaillac wines were already exported overseas after having sailed down the rivers Tarn and Garonne.