The Best Vineyards to Visit in Provence
The best wineries are about more than just good wine, here are the best vineyards to visit on your wine-tasting tour of Provence
LUBERON WINERIES
Domaine de la Citadelle, Menerbes
Apart from creating some lovely Luberon wines, Domaine de la Citadelle is worth visiting for its unique corkscrew museum, with hundreds of corkscrews from down the ages, and a very good restaurant. If you walk up to the top behind the winery there is also a botanical garden with splendid views. The domains is just outside the village of Menerbes, which is where Peter Mayle was inspired to write A Year in Provence.
Domaine de la Citadelle, 601 Route de Cavaillon, 84560 Ménerbes
Map
Chateau La Canorgue, Bonnieux
In a magical setting in the heart of the Luberon, you can see why Chateau La Canorgue was chosen as the location for the Peter Mayle-Ridley Scott-Russell Crowe movie 'A Good Year'. The wine is organic and grapes are grown using biodynamic methods. You can't visit the chateau but the place is enchanting anyway.
Chateau la Canorgue, 850 Rte du Pont Julien D149, 84480 Bonnieux
Map
Chateau Val-Joannis, Pertuis
Chateau Val-Joannis is simply included because of its stunning formal garden - in fact it is listed as one of the most remarkable gardens in France. The garden is laid out over three terraces, in a 17th century style, and you may remember it from the Meg Ryan movie 'French Kiss'.
Chateau Val-Joannis, 2404 Route de Villelaure, 84120 Pertuis
Map
​​
Mas des Infermières, Menerbes
Film director Ridley Scott’s modern, high-tech winery near Menerbes, Mas des Infermières doubles up as a showcase for props from Scott's movies, including Gladiator and The Martian. The staff here are very knowledgeable and friendly.
Mas des Infermières, 1575 Rte du Four Neuf, 84580 Oppède
Map
​
Domaine des Peyre, Robion
Another vineyard that is more than a winery. Dotted around Domaine des Peyre are outdoor artworks, and in the summer there are jazz/tapas evenings to bring together people, music and wine in a beautiful setting. Wandering around the vineyard you can also take in the 9th century chapel, and if you really like the location they also do stylish vacation rentals.
Domaine des Peyre, 1620 Route d'Avignon, 84440 Robion
Map
​
Chateau la Verrerie, Puget
One of the best Luberon wines since the 1990s, Chateau la Verrerie specialises in organic reds, mainly Syrah, but the rosé is also very good. In addition to 56 ha of vines they also have 7 ha of olive trees, and you can buy their excellent olive oil in the shop too.
Chateau la Verrerie, 1810 Rte du Luberon, 84360 Puget
​Map
INLAND PROVENCE WINERIES
​
Chateau La Coste, Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade
An extraordinary winery near Aix-en-Provence, Chateau La Coste incorporates a 2-3 hour art walk through the vineyards which includes world-class artists' work, like Frank Gehry and Ai Weiwei, and even a Bob Dylan sculpture. The winery is ultra-modern, with no fewer than 6 restaurants to choose from. On top of that the wine is excellent. There is also a luxury hotel with spa if you want to stay over.
Chateau La Coste, 2750 Route De La Cride, 13610 Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade
Map
Chateau Bonisson, Aix-en-Provence
Chateau Bonisson is a family-run chateau that combines wine and art, with a vineyard plus contemporary art centre. In summer there are also musical events amid the vines. Here they take the idea of organic and biodynamic production a step further, not only do they hand-pick the grapes but they use horses instead of tractors to work the soil.
Chateau Bonisson, 177 Rte des Mauvares, 13840 Rognes
Map
Chateau de Beaucastel, Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Chateau de Beaucastel is a legendary Chateauneuf-du-Pape winery, where you can learn all about the particular conditions and wine-making of this area. This is a big operation and the cellar here has over a million bottles.
Chateau de Beaucastel, Chemin de Beaucastel, 84350 Courthézon
Map
Mas de la Dame, Les Baux-de-Provence
At the foot of the iconic Les Baux de Provence village, Mas de la Dame has been painted by van Gogh and mentioned by Nostradamus in one of his predictions. The estate of 300 hectares produces organic wine and olive oil, just as the Romans did.
Mas de la Dame, 2200 Route des Alpilles, 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence
Chateau Gassier, Aix-en-Provence
At the foot of Aix's iconic Montagne de Sainte Victoire, beloved by the painter Cezanne. Chateau Gassier is protected by hills and has the sea 20 miles away, making a special microclimate ideal for wine. There is a signposted information trail over 3km/2 miles, explaining the land, flora and fauna, and wine method.
Chateau Gassier, Chemin de la Colle, 13114 Puyloubier
Map
Chateau Pesquié, Ventoux
Chateau Pesquié is a family-run winery at the foot of Mont Ventoux, a wine region which is definitely on the up, where visits are always a delight. The setting is lovely, an 18th century Provencal castle with its alley of 300-year-old plane trees. A wine trail lets you explore the estate, which uses organic and biodynamic methods.
Chateau Pesquié, 1365 Rte de Flassan, 84570 Mormoiron
Map
Maison Brotte, Chateauneuf-du-Pape
In the heart of Chateauneuf-du-Pape country, Maison Brotte is both winery and wine museum. The museum tells you all about the job of the winemaker, and a visit is followed by a wine-tasting.
Maison Brotte, avenue Pierre de Luxembourg, 84230 Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Map
Chateau Fortia, Chateauneuf-du-Pape
One of the big names of Chateauneuf du Pape, and also a beautiful place to visit, Chateau Fortia has been producing notable wine since the 17th century. In the 1930s the then owner Baron Le Roy invented the appellation system that is the basis of French wine production, so this place is an important location for the world of wine.
Chateau Fortia, 10 Rte de Bédarrides, 84230 Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Map
Chateau de la Gaude, Aix-en-Provence
A gorgeous winery just outside Aix-en-Provence that is attached to a luxury hotel in an 18th century bastide, Chateau de la Gaude includes a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Chateau de la Gaude, 3959 Rte des Pinchinats, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
Map
​
​
VAR WINERIES
​
Chateau Sainte Roseline, Les-Arcs-sur-Argens
One of 18 Cru Classé wine estates in Provence (this means the wine is considered outstanding), as well as a classified Historic Monument, Chateau Sainte Roseline is a restored abbey whose origins date back to the 12th century. The grounds includes gardens, fountains and works of art, culminating in the 11th century chapel with a mosaic by Chagall and doors and lectern by Giacometti. There are musical events in summer and at the end of November, nocturnal visits taking in the atmospheric abbey and cloisters.
Chateau Ste Roseline, 83460 Les Arcs
Map
Commanderie de Peyrassole, Flassans-sur-Issole
The Commanderie de Peyrassol was established in the 13th century by the mystical Knights Templar, and today is an exceptional Provence vineyard. As well as wine tasting you can take the art trail around the property, taking in sculptures by international artists, there is also a contemporary art space, an outstanding garden (officially one of the 'Remarkable Gardens of France'), as well as fine dining in the courtyard. There is a minimum entry of 13 euros which includes wine tasting and goes towards the cost of hosting all the art.
Commanderie de Peyrassole, 1204 Chemin de la Commanderie de Peyrassol, 83340 Flassans-sur-Issole
Map
Chateau Léoube, Bormes-les-Mimosas
In one of the most picturesque settings for any vineyard, right on the sea on Cap Bernat, Chateau Léoube is an organic winery with exceptional rosé wines. With 560 hectares of land, over 400 hectares are wild, with pines, rosemary and sage allowed to flourish. This makes a lush, rich landscape and a stunning location. This domaine even has its own beach, Plage du Pellegrin, with a small café, and a visit is recommended.
Chateau Léoube, 2387 Rte de Léoube, 83230 Bormes-les-Mimosas
Map
Chateau de Berne, Flayosc
Well-known for its rosé that for many is the taste of Provence summers, you may recognise the Chateau de Berne bottles which are square rather than round. This distinctiveness extends to the vineyard itself, which is now also a luxury hotel with Michelin-starred restaurant. The estate is set in a sumptuous landscape which can be explored on hiking trails, and all production is organic.
Chateau de Berne, Chemin des Imberts, 83780 Flayosc
Map
Chateau d’Esclans, La Motte
If you are a fan of the splendid Whispering Angel rosé, Chateau d'Esclans is where it is made in beautiful grounds in the heart of the Var. This is a slick and professional operation, producing 10 million bottles a year. Tours and tastings are very informative and delivered with passion.
Chateau d’Esclans, 4005 Route de Callas, 83920 La Motte
Map
Chateau Canadel, Bandol
A newish family-run winery in the famous Bandol region near the sea Chateau Canadel benefits from its unusual soil conditions to create award-winning wine. The setting is gorgeous - vines grow on a terraced hillside, which you can explore on the marked wine trail. Production here is organic and biodynamic.
Chateau Canadel, 98 Chemin du Canadeau, 83330 Le Castellet
Map
Chateau de St Martin, Taradeau
Chateau de St Martin shows us that we are just scratching the surface of history. The estate has been producing wine since the 12th century monks (whose cellars are still used today) and Roman remains from 200 BC have revealed a previous building here, and before that a prehistoric settlement. The current family of owners have only been here since 1740, and Chateau de St Martin has long been one of Provence's Cru Classés. As a bonus there is an educational tour about distilling liquors.
Chateau de St Martin, Route des Arcs, 83460 Taradeau
Map
COTE D'AZUR WINERIES
​​
Abbaye de Lérins, Cannes
Unusual for two reasons - Abbaye de Lérins is on an island off Cannes, and being an Abbey it is a wine produced by monks. On what is a small island they have managed to plant 8ha to vines, producing red and white using time-tested methods, but no frivolous rosé. Wine-making here goes back to the middle ages, and maybe beyond. Tastings have to be booked ahead.
Abbaye de Lérins, Ile Saint-Honorat, 06400 Cannes
Map