Best Wineries in Provence, France (to Visit in 2024!)
In the Provence wine region of France, viticulture is an ancient pastime. The terroir and climate are perfect for growing different varieties of grapes, and vines have existed here since Greek and Roman times. The region accounts for over 35% of the total wine produced in France, with a particular focus on pale and fruity rosé wines.
All wines are categorized by AOC and AOP classifications. In simplified terms, AOC ensures that the grapes and wine meet specific standards of the region’s land, and AOP is a set of guidelines to determine how the wines are produced and their quality levels.
In this list of the best vineyards to visit in Provence, you’ll discover the pioneers of organic viticulture and how to sample some of the best wines in Provence accompanied by musical events, art installations and gastronomic delicacies. Read on to discover more, and get ready to plan your Provence wine route!
Luberon Vineyards
The Côtes du Luberon AOC was created in 1988 and encompasses the area between the Ventoux region in the north, and Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence in the south. The Luberon is where picturesque villages, fragrant lavender fields, and historic chateaux collide in one of the most beautiful French wine regions.
Domaine de Marie
400 Chem. des Peirelles, 84560 Ménerbes
Oenophiles will adore a visit to the 57-acre Luberon vineyard Domaine de Marie. The family-run vineyard is helmed by owner Jean-Louis Sibuet and showcases his passion for wine. He grows noble grape varieties such as Syrah and Grenache while also introducing new varietals including Cinsault and Roussanne on four different soils.
They produce three red AOC Luberon wines brimming with personality, alongside two whites and a rosé. Try Cuvée Marie No. 1 a distinctive rosé aged in an oak barrel, or sample the No. 1 white wine with toasted notes of pineapple.
Visitors can partake in unique experiences including joining in with the Autumn grape harvest, cellar tours and bike rides through the vineyards. Stay at La Bastide de Marie to be surrounded by vines, and enjoy a meal at La Table de la Bastide to round out the delectable experience.
Domaine de Fontenille
Rte de Roquefraiche, 84360 Lauris
Domaine de Fontenille is a pleasure to visit. It’s one of the many Provence vineyards using organic cultivation methods – delighting visitors with award-winning wines and abundant activities.
Sample white and rosé wine (gold and silver in the Millésime Organic 2020 challenge), or red wine that won Concours Agricole 2020. Enjoy a pre-prepared picnic on the grounds, take part in a harvest morning, or book a winery tour – this is a great “destination vineyard” that has it all.
Alternatively, book a stay at the elegant 18th-century country house to enjoy the spa, heated pool and not one, but two restaurants, Le Champ des Lunes (Michelin-starred) and La Cuisine d’Amélie. Walk through the vineyard, participate in yoga sessions, cycle, canoe or attend a cooking course during your stay.
Mas des Infermieres
1575 Rte du Four Neuf, 84580 Oppède
Owned by movie director Ridley Scott and his family, Mas des Infermieres provided inspiration for the hit film “A Good Year”. He purchased the manoir with 11 hectares of vines near Oppede-le-Vieux back in 1992, and years later, they were awarded a Gold Medal at Concours General Agricole in Paris.
While here, visit The Cave – an amalgamation of winemaking and film – a place where visitors can sample the vintages while being immersed in movie memorabilia.
The vintners embrace the art of traditional Provençal winemaking and the bottle label artwork is hand-drawn by Ridley Scott to evoke a message of healing, health, and good fortune.
MasLauris
Didier and Margeaux Théophile fell in love with the old farmhouse in Luberon at first sight in 2011. They had a clear vision for the mas and land, and shortly after moving in, they removed all of the existing vines to allow the soil to rest and regenerate.
The couple began growing grapes again from scratch, choosing suitable varieties for the terroir and they quickly achieved organic status. Today, 12 years later, MasLauris has 12 hectares of vines producing nine cuvée’s, AOP Luberon reds, whites, and rosé wines. The estate is open year-round for vineyard visits and cellar tastings by appointment.
Domaine des Peyre
Parc naturel régional du Luberon, 1620 Route d’Avignon, 84440 Robion
Domaine des Peyre can be found near Gordes – a village described by many as one of the most beautiful in France. The vines on the estate produce full-bodied red wines, delectable whites, and rosés to pair with varying gastronomical dishes.
Wander through beautiful landscapes dotted with modern art installations, discover tastings overlooking scenic French countryside, or stay in one of five charming cottages named after the grapes.
This essential wine tourism venue is a popular destination for weddings and group events, and be sure to purchase their unique wine bottles decorated with newspaper-style labels.
Château la Canorgue
Route du Pont Julien – D149, 84480 Bonnieux
Historic Château la Canorgue is tucked away in Luberon, near the hilltop village of Bonnieux. It has been in the same family for over 200 years and is run by Jean-Pierre Margan – a pioneer in organic and biodynamic farming, and his daughter Nathalie.
Their award-winning wines include La Canorgue – an intense red with hints of cocoa and black fruit, Coin Perdu – a silky number infused with spices, berries, and praline and Canorgue Viognier – a fresh white with candied fruit flavours.
As an additional note, the winery was also a prime filming location for the movie “A Good Year” starring Russell Crowe!
Les Davids (AOC Ventoux)
At an altitude of 580 metres on the edge of the Vaucluse Mountains and Mont Ventoux, Les Davids winery embraces the principles of organic polyculture – growing different crops on a specific terroir. The owners use gravity-flow winemaking, a process that doesn’t damage the grapes and consists of three levels including hand-harvesting to preserve the flavour and colour.
Visitors can enjoy winery tours and tastings sessions at La Terrasse des Davids. Light rosé wines with hints of raspberry, whites with brioche notes and ruby reds are served to complement produce from the estate’s organic vegetable gardens. Also, don’t depart without visiting the onsite bakery where you can learn about traditional breadmaking.
Château La Verrerie
1810 Rte du Luberon, 84360 Puget
Located on the edge of Luberon Natural Park near Lourmarin, Château La Verrerie thrills oenophiles with 56 hectares of vines and traditional wine cellar tastings.
The winery is owned and operated by artisan winemakers – the Descours family, who will share 2000 years of vineyard history with you, discuss organic viticulture, and introduce you to their Syrah, Carignan, Roussane and Bourboulenc varietals.
Visitors can attend winery tours, have a picnic between the vines (bookings required) and browse gourmet boutiques selling olive oils, jams, and tapenades.
Vineyards Near Aix-en-Provence
Côteaux d’Aix-en-Provence is the second-largest AOC in Provence. It’s known for its limestone soil that produces spicy, fruity, sweet reds and rosé wines, and light, refreshing white wines.
Château La Coste
2750 Route De La Cride, 13610 Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade
A destination vineyard owned by an Irish property magnate, Chateau La Coste is home to fine wines, four restaurants, art, architecture, and myriad of events. Work up an appetite with a two-hour meander through installations by world-famous architects such as Frank Gehry, then top it off with a visit to the onsite art gallery.
Enjoy lunch at La Terrasse (my personal fave), and dine on fresh ingredients from the farmer’s garden or experience the futuristic vibes of Tadao Ando restaurant. During the summer months, stay late to watch cinema screenings or book a room in the luxury hotel with spa to extend your stay.
Château Bonisson
177 Rte des Mauvares, 13840 Rognes
Château Bonisson delights with an 18th-century bastide overlooking a lush vineyard and surrounded by aged oak trees. This is a meeting place for oenophiles seeking a fresh perspective on Aix-en-Provence wine and those interested in creativity and good conversation.
There’s a stunning art centre onsite, which you can freely browse, or book a guided tour for a deeper dive. Wine tastings can be made in the adjoining cellar, and live music events are held here throughout the year.
Wine enthusiasts can sample organic wines including the popular Cuvée B wines – a collection of delicate, fruity white, citrus and spicy rosé, and elegant red.
Château Barbebelle
Château Barbebelle near Rognes is one of the oldest vineyards in Provence, France. The vines were first cultivated by the Romans and today, the 16th-century chateau and estate is home to the third generation of the Herbeau family. They offer cellar tours, tastings, and events and there are three wine ranges to discover.
Try their traditional cuvées and elegant, subtle blends including the Madeleine Blanc – a citrusy white wine named after the owner’s daughter who now also works in the family business. It’s also worth noting that their summer berry-infused rosé was named the world’s best by Decanter in 2020!
Alpilles Vineyards
The hot and dry climate of Les Alpilles is perfect for winemaking, and the mistral wind keeps the rot at bay, meaning you’ll find most of the vineyards in this area hold an organic certification.
Château d’Estoublon (AOC Les Baux-de-Provence)
Route de Maussane, 13990 Fontvieille
On the southern slopes of the Alpilles, the land on which Château d’Estoublon sits has been producing wines and olive oils since 1489. This traditional Provençal 200-hectare estate is one of the best wineries near Avignon. It’s a place to relax, unwind and enjoy fine wines amid the natural splendour of the countryside.
Visitors can dine on fresh, seasonal dishes created from local produce, stay in the grand castle, and entertain friends in the library, bar, or gardens. Alternatively, take a guided tour of the vineyards and olive groves concluding with a tasting of delectable, white, rosé, and red wines.
Don’t leave without visiting the onsite shop – all of the products are produced on the estate and make wonderful gifts or souvenirs of your time in Provence.
Côtes de Provence Vineyards
80% of the wine grown in this region is rosé, primarily created with grenache, syrah, and mourvèdre (GSM) grapes. Of the remainder, 15% is red, and only 5% of the wines produced in this area are white.
Château Gassier
In the heart of Cézanne’s Provence, in the foothills of the Sainte-Victoire mountain, sits delightful Château Gassier. It’s owned and run by a Provençal family with links to nobility dating back several centuries. The Gassiers purchased the vineyard in the 1980s and have been committed to preserving the domaine and environment ever since.
With four terroirs in one estate, this is one of the best wineries to visit in Provence. It’s famed for its oak-spiced, fruity rosé and white organic wines – produced with Syrah, Grenache, and Rolle grapes. They host wine-tasting tours and events throughout the year including sunset tastings, rosé brunches, movie screenings and stargazing evenings – there’s always something happening!
Domaine de l’Île
In 2015, Domaine de l’Île on the island of Porquerolles was certified as organic – two years later it was acquired by the haute couture fashion house Chanel. The 34-hectare vineyards are planted with carefully selected Mediterranean grape varieties – in particular Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache. The brand wants to make the island a leading destination for viticulture in France.
Today, visitors wishing to sample their deliciously fresh white and rosé wines can tour the vineyard, browse their shop, and dine at the upscale restaurant.
In 2021, Domaine de l’Île merged with neighbouring Domaine Perzinsky. The Perzinsky brothers passed the reins to the established vintners to continue their passion for wine production.
Château Léoube
2387 Rte de Léoube, 83230 Bormes-les-Mimosas
On the Mediterranean coast, near Fort Bregançon is Château Léoube, one of the most sustainable organic vineyards on the continent. Owned and operated by a British farming family, the vineyard spans four kilometres of sweeping verdant coastline.
Visitors can feast on delicious Mediterranean cuisine at Café Léoube; sample delectable Provence wine, and then relax on Pellegrin Beach.
Wine highlights include their sparkling fruity rosés, intense citrusy whites, and a mosaic of reds. Make a stop at the château boutique to browse their flagship wines, Provençal jams, olive oils and organic linens before you leave.
Château de Berne
Chemin des Imberts, 83780 Flayosc
This impressive Provençal castle is called a “vignoble d’exception” which means of exceptional quality. It’s been open for business since 1750 and boasts 500 hectares of vineyards amid rolling hills and forests.
Discover ancient buildings, swimming pools, a spa, Bistrot and a tasting room open seven days a week during your visit. As with most large estates, Château de Berne produces red, white, and rosé blends, in addition to sparkling wines and olive oil.
Enjoy sampling a few at one of the wine shows or evening concerts, take a cooking class, and book a stay in elegant rooms, suites, or exclusive private villas.
Domaine de L’Estagnol
1426 Rte de la Cadière, 83270 Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer
Domaine de L’Estagnol was established by Sandrine Féraud whose family has been working vines for six generations. Her vine rows each have a sea view, as she believes that each Mourvèdre grape needs to feel the sea breeze to flourish.
Encompassing 10 hectares in the Var department, the small, rustic domaine produces delicious Bandol rosé, white and red wines at palatable prices. The owners often travel with their wines too, showcasing them at local events throughout the region.
Domaine des Trois Chênes
4619 Chem. des Troisièmes Borrels, 83400 Hyères
Domaine des Trois Chênes is operated by Régis Scarone whose family have owned the land since 1905. This rustic domaine offers a charming insight into the day-to-day running of a Provence winery.
The owner picks the grapes by hand, ages them in cement vats and doesn’t want to use organic certification because of bureaucracy (although his wine is produced by organic methods). Take a tour, enjoy a paired tasting menu, or stay a while in one of two onsite accommodations near a small pool.
This unpretentious Provençal vineyard attracts visitors with home cooking and fine wines retailing at great value. If you’re seeking authenticity, it is one of the best Provence wineries to visit.
Château d’Esclans
4005 Rte de Callas, 83920 La Motte
Château d’Esclans sits high on a hillside near Fréjus in southern France. The current owner Sacha Lichine purchased the vineyard in 2006 with a vision to create the finest rosé wines in the world.
During a visit, you can learn about the châteaux heritage, their production methods, and admire the architecture of the country house and wine cellar. This château is renowned for its centuries-old Grenache vines producing wines with ethereal names such as Whispering Angel.
The wines produced in the Provence region do share some similarities, however, there are enough differences to please all seasoned connoisseurs. Whether you wish to visit a grand castle with acres of vines and regular events or want to sip wine on a small authentic vineyard with a focus on organic farming, I hope my list of the top vineyards in Provence inspires you to delve deeper into the exciting world of French wine.
