The best vineyards to visit in Provence
France, on the whole, is a nation of excellent wine. There are robust reds from Bordeaux, zippy whites from Alsace and Chablis and effervescent champagnes from, naturally, Champagne, all of which are enjoyed year-round the world over. Come summertime, however, the pastel pink rosé tends to take centre stage. Hailing from the southern French region of Provence, these wines are a true emblem of summer – and certainly worth tasting, especially should you be planning a trip to the Côte d'Azur in the coming months. We've gathered our favourite vineyards worth visiting, all at the ready to welcome you to taste the loveliest, freshest Provençal wines the region has to offer.
The best vineyards in Provence
Instagram/@chateaudesaintmartin1/9Château de Saint Martin
Set across 100 acres of vineyards and farmland, the Château de Saint Martin winery has been producing a host of excellent rosés, whites and reds since 1740. The winery has two cellars, accommodation as well as excellent tasting opportunities. Perched high up in the mountains between Vidauban and Roquebrune-sur-Argens, you will delight in your afternoon spent at the château sipping wines under the shade of a mighty stone pines, revelling in each delicious sip.
614 Route des Arcs, 83720 Trans-en-Provence
chateaudesaintmartin.com
2/9Domaine de l'Olivette
Presided over by the same family for over two centuries, the wines of Domaine de l'Olivette are some of the most sumptuous and lovely in the region. Indeed, attention must be paid to the excellent selection of rosés, whites, reds and sparkling varieties on offer at l'Olivette's tastings, as the vineyard is located in the covetable Bandol AOC appellation, often claimed the best for grape growing in Provence. Annual yield at l'Olivette is relatively low, too, making a pit-stop tasting here a rarefied experience.
519 chemin de l'Olivette, Le Brulat du Castellet, 83330 Le Castellet
baronfrancois.com
3/9Vignoble Rasse
Located just 15 minutes from the Mediterranean coast, Vignoble Rase is one of the most picturesque vineyards on this list. With its soil protected under the French “IGP” classification (Geographically Protected Indication), the grapes used to produce the vineyard's delicious rosés, whites and reds are organic and handled with the utmost care. Special, personalised tastings can be planned in advance with the vintners, and those opting for group tastings will be treated to Provençal lunches and allowed to partake in a host of cultural events thrown throughout peak grape growing months.
800 chemin des Sausses, 06640 Saint-Jeannet
vignoblerasse.fr
4/9Abbaye de Lérins
Just off the coast of the Cap d'Antibes is the teeny Île Saint-Honorat, whose inhabitants are exclusively comprised of a sect of wine-making monks. Accessible only by either a ferry leaving from the Quai des Îles in Cannes or private boat transfer, the island is a peaceful, secluded place. The vineyard attached to the monks' abby, the Abbaye de Lérins, is even more remarkable. In operation since the 5th century, the abbey's vineyards produce some of Provence's finest wines. Before settling in for a fabulous beachside tasting and lunch, explore the island's deserted beaches and forests – we guarantee that this will be an island you'll never want to leave.
Île Saint-Honorat
cannes-ilesdelerins.com
Instagram/@domainedelasource5/9Domaine de la Source
Headed by a French farming family just outside of Nice's city centre, the Domaine de la Source produces some of the area's finest organic wines – and offers excellent, friendly tasting experiences for oenophiles and wine novices alike. The vineyard produces a great assortment of reds, whites and rosés under the “Vins de Bellet” AOP appellation, one of the most highly regarded in Provence, and are known for their subtle salinity and high drinkability. Enjoy an hour's long tasting of the Domaine's wines, or, tuck into a homemade lunch prepared by the vintners, with the waves of the Mediterranean crashing in the distance.
303 chemin de Saquier, Saint Romain de Bellet, 06200 Nice
domainedelasource.eu
6/9Domaine la Navicelle
Located on a north-facing hilly slope locally referred to as the Colle Noire, Domaine de la Navicelle produces some of the most complex – yet drinkable – wines in Provence. With its grapes harvested in a biodynamic fashion bearing the Côtes de Provence appellation, those eager to get to know the basics of Provençal wine will want to make a beeline to the winery. With incredible tours, harvest experiences and personalised tastings, the kind vintners at Domaine de la Navicelle excel not just at wine-making, but also at hosting. Santé!
1617 chemin de la Cibonne, 83220, Le Pradet
domainedelanavicelle.com
Instagram/@domaine_tropez7/9Domaine Tropez
For those holidaying in St Tropez, a visit to Domaine Tropez in the green hills above the sea is a must. A relative newcomer to the Provençal wine scene, the winery was opened in 1996 by a longtime vintner in love with the French Riviera and high-quality, low-intervention wines. Specialising in rosés, white and reds made of grape varietals Grenache and Syrah, expect each sip at your Domaine Tropez tasting to be a powerful experience. Spread across over 40 hectares, explore the well-maintained grapevines before settling into your tasting, which will be hosted in the chic, recently renovated cave and Provençal-style farmhouse at the centre of the Domaine.
Route de la Mort du Luc, 83580 Gassin
domaine-tropez.com
Ilona Barna BIPHOTONEWS / Alamy Stock Photo8/9Domaine Bertraud Belieu
Set just above the sparkling French Riviera, the Domaine Bertraud Belieu is perhaps one of the celebrated vineyards in the region. The Domaine is a rosé-lovers paradise, producing almost exclusively wine of the pale pink variety. Enjoy lingering tastings held in the Domaine's cool, state-of-the-art cave, or stay a while for lunch overlooking a sea of grapes growing on the vine, washing down each excellent course with the vineyard's award-winning rosés, each better than the next.
635 Route Ramatuelle Presqu'île de Saint-Tropez, 83580 Gassin
bertraud-belieu.com
9/9La Verrière
For those hoping to do more than just taste, the medieval priory-turned-wine resort, La Verrière, offers guests the “Chêne Bleu Extreme Wine Experience”. The experience is an intense one not for fair-weather wine tasters, as the course ends with the administration of a WSET Level 2 Award exam, one of the most prestigious levels aspiring sommeliers can ascend. Whilst taking a exam on holiday is certainly not everyone's cup of rosé, we think spending a few days on a beautiful Provençal vineyard more than makes up for it.
Chemin de la Verrière, 84110 Crestelet
booking.laverriere.com
