There are so many fantastic vineyards to visit in Provence, and our list of favourites is forever evoling! Here is today's top 5, hope you enjoy!!
A little note about Sylla, our local partner in Apt, from whom we chose the wine we leave for you on arrival. We hope you enjoyed it?
Sylla is a local wine co-operative, in down-town Apt. You will see their little rows of vines scattered all over the countryside in your travels. They are open for wine tastings most days. If you visit, don't forget the discount card!
Château de Mille, Apt
This is the oldest estate in the Luberon, and conveniently the closest to Villa Vauvert. It was recently bought and renovated by a lovely franco-american couple and has really upped it's game! A beautiful setting, a very friendly welcome and, most importantly very good, organic wine, we highly recommend a wine tasting visit.
Chateau de Mille often hosts events, the next ones in May, being workshops on assembling a red wine, or pairing wine and food. This winery is on the very beautiful road between Apt and Lourmarin, or Bonnieux.
Château Constantin, Lourmarin
The Bagnis family bought this estate in 2016, and you can really feel their passion for wine. We love their wine tastings because they explain the process so well, and speak very frankly about the ups and downs of each harvest. A small cellar, with a really interesting wine tasting. Their vinyards are at quite low altitude and largely south facing, so their wines are full bodied, it is interesting to compare them with other local vineyards. Organic wine, some vintages being matured in terracotta vats, harking back to ancient roman practices. Combine this visit with a trip to Lourmarin, always a great place to stop for an apero in the evening.
Domaine les Davids, Viens
Although the vinyard dates back centuries, the cellar and adjacent restaurant are a recent build. The good news is that les Davids is still a fairly well keep secret!
This is one of our favourite lunch spots. It is quite rare for a French vinyard to also have a restaurant, and this one is particularly good. A limited menu of seasonal, fresh food, an interesting menu, served outside on a sweeping terrace overlooking the rows and rows of vines. The very modern building is very unusual in Provence and makes a striking contrast with the rolling Luberon hills. The bonus is good wine and free wine tasting, before or after your meal (we recomend before so you can chose the wine for your meal). A great address, and one we often combine with a visit to Banon, home of the famous goat's cheese and best bookshop ever, le Bleuet.
Le Mas des Infermières, Oppède
In contrast with Chateau les Milles, this is one of the newest vinyards in the Luberon, built by Ridley Scott, who has had a house in the Luberon for decades. The wine is relatively young, and potentially not for drinking straight away (at least the reds) but the setting is beautiful and the visit inspiring. Everything from the architecture (which you could easily believe was ancient), to the decoration, to the labels on the bottles sketched by Ridley Scott himself, to the display of Hollywood posters and costumes, is beautiful. Visits of the domaine are paying, either a one hour classic tour or the 1,5 hour superior tour which also introduces you to the cinematic universe of Ridley Scott. This is a lovely trip to fill in an afternoon or an evening, and could be combined with a visit to Oppède-le-vieux or Maubec.
Château la Canorgue, Bonnieux
Château Canorgue has been making organic wine for more than 40 years, making them a pioneer in the Luberon. They also dabble in bio-dynamics.
This estate is truly beautiful. Wander the gardens, and soak up the atmosphere before your wine tasting. Fun fact, this is where Ridley Scott filmed "A Good Year", with Russel Crowe. Chateau la Canorgue is on a lot of menus in the area, and their whites are among our favourites.
You can combine this visit with a trip to Bonnieux, with its beautiful panoramic views of the Luberon and the village of Lacoste on the opposite hill top.
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