Exploring the Vineyards
This stroll through the wine growing areas of the beautiful Bay of Saint-Tropez Maures Hills area invites you to get to know our prestigious peninsula's vineyards, independent wine growers and wine cooperatives.
Located on the internationally acclaimed Côtes de Provence AOC terroir, the vineyards and wine cellars listed here willingly took part in drawing up this delightful tourism and wine appreciation itinerary. They are all open throughout the year (with the exception of a few days), are accessible by road, offer parking facilities and on-site sale. Most vineyards will be pleased to show you round their cellars, but we recommend making an appointment before your arrival. All Bay of Saint-Tropez -Maures Hills wine growers guarantee visitors a warm welcome. We wish you an enjoyable stay and hope you enjoy discovering the many fascinating secrets of our peninsula...
CogolinCave des Vignerons de Cogolin
A sculpture of a rooster - the town's emblem - stands proudly above the cellar entrance. Founded in 1912, Cogolin's wine cooperative is now run by around 100 growers from Cogolin, Grimaud and La Mole, who have united their expertise and production means to offer an extensive and varied range of "Vins de Pays" table wines (red, white and 80% rosé), single grape wines (Merlot for reds and Cinsault for rosés) and Côtes de Provence AOCs. The town's tempe-rate and exceptionally sunny Mediterranean climate, coupled with a chalky soil, have earned the wines of Cogolin a fast-expanding reputation. The whole wine-making process takes place on site and the cellars offer visitors a delightful welcome, coupled with the opportunity to buy up a delicious range of local produce such as wine based jams, olive oil, marinated sardines and other local specialities. Open days throughout July.
ACCES :
rue Marceau in Cogolin town centre Tel. : 33 (0)4 94 54 40 54
CogolinChâteau des Garcinières
Stéphanie Valentin, the 5th heir to the Château des Garcinières, smiles coyly as she says "Just put your nose to a glass of our rosé wine and a whole world of gentle freshness opens up, with tangy fruits blending into roundness, wrapping you in the fragrance of my homeland of Provence." The Valentin family have been the owners of this magnificent 150-acre vineyard - 50 of which are planted with vines - for over a century. The vineyard was built in the 19th century by Cistercian monks on the ruins of a Roman villa. An alley of majestic plane trees dating back nearly 400 years leads to the cellar and vast mansion house. The Chateau's two wines "Château des Garcinières" Cuvée Traditionelle (red, white and rosé) and "Cuvée du Pieuré" Cuvée Prestige (red and rosé) - are entirely hand-crafted. These subtle wines, characterised by their rich aroma and elegant colour are perfect served with our typical southern specialities, seafood, grilled meats, traditional stuffed vegetables, or Provençal cheeses.
ACCES :
exit from Cogolin towards Gassin / La Foux roundabout.The vineyard is situated at 1.5 kilometres on your right.Tel. : 33 (0)4 94 56 02 85
CogolinChâteau Saint-Maur
More than just a simple vineyard, Château Saint-Maur is a vast property marked by a rich and tumultuous history and featuring Roman remains, an ancient demolished chapel (now a place of pilgrimage) and the Chateau itself, whose pretty bell tower - set over an oak tree planted in 1612 - chimes out over the surrounding countryside in honour of Saint Maur, the patron saint of Cogolin. Now owned by Cyprien Margnat, this 100-acre "Cru Classé de Provence" vineyard benefits from an ideally temperate microclimate, coupled with all the savoir faire of four generations of wine growers. Each vintage is nurtured with care using environmentally-friendly growing techniques. The grapes are harvested by hand at night and temperatures are strictly controlled during the maturing process. The Chateau looks set to continue its development thanks to the recent creation of a fabulous flagship vintage, the "Cuvée Excellence", plus a newcomer, the "Agapé" red. Selling out soon!
ACCES :
from Cogolin, follofrom Cogolin, follow signs to Collobrières. The vineyard is situated at 4 kilometres on your right. From Grimaud, follows signs to Collobrières, cross "Pont de la Giscle" bridge then follow signs to Cogolin. The vineyard is situated at 6 kilometres on your left. Tel. : 33 (0)4 94 54 63 12
CogolinChâteau Saint-Marc
Wine and nature lovers alike will be thrilled to discover the winding, signposted path leading up to Chateau Saint-Marc, situated far off the beaten track in the wild Maures hills, sweet with the scents of Provence and swathed in dense forests of oaks and chestnut trees. The impeccably trellissed vines form a majestic alleyway sweeping from the entrance gate up to the Château and cellars. Saint-Marc produces 60% rosés and 40% reds assembled using classic Provençal grape varieties, plus a totally new white elaborated from Rolle grapes (2 acres), available for the first time this winter. The two flagship vintages - "Epicure" (particularly renowned for its very fruity rosés) and "Grande Réserve Domini" (a good ageing wine raised in oak barrels) - characterize the hand-crafted, consistent and eloquent personality of this Château.
ACCES :
about 1 km after the last roundabout exiting from Cogolin's "zone artisanale" on the way to Collobrières, turn left into "Chemin de l'Hermitan" then continue for 3 km. Tel. : 33 (0)4 94 54 69 92
CogolinDomaine de la Giscle
Domaine de la Giscle is situated in the Amirauté quarter, under the road snaking up to "La Verne" Carthusian monastery. Pierre Audemard - worthy heir of this family property and tireless wine enthusiast speaks of the "memory" of his vines and the "stresses" they can suffer, why his vineyard is planted in terraces, his special care routines, how his grapes are harvested at night or dawn, and... why his new tanks are specially imported from Italy ! Pierre's "Moulin de l'Isle" rosé is the epitome of elegance and character, his red is just made for wild game, and the rare, atypical white (Rolle raised in oak barrels) is simply fantastic with cheese (yes really, just try it !) or Mediterranean fish. The wine store is highly modern, but the barely-lit cellar still emanates the scent of old oak barrels.
ACCES :
follow signs to Collobrières from Cogolin or Grimaud. The vineyard is situated 5 km after Pont de Giscle bridge. Tel.: 33 (0)4 94 43 21 26
La Croix ValmerDomaine de Chausse
A few years back, Roseline Schelcher could never have imagined finding herself at the head of such a fabulous vineyard. It all started with a project to build a forest fire barrier in the hills surrounding this vulnerable 124-acre property. Having first envisaged olive trees then almond trees, Yves and Roseline Schelcher finally opted for vines. After a series of intensive courses, this Swiss-born wine-grower expanded the domain from just 10 acres to today's 37 acres of entirely trellissed vines. Heat-regulated stainless-steel tanks, coupled with state-of-theart equipment, guarantee a precise and optimized vinification process in an impeccably clean environment - you can't deny your origins ! The vineyard's AOC wines have now swept up numerous awards and medals. The rare white (an assembly of Rolle, Viognier, Chardonnay and Semillon grapes) created specially by Roseline is not to be missed !
ACCES :
from La Croix Valmer town centre follow signs to the Complexe Scolaire, then turn left after 3.5 km. Tel. : 33 (0)4 94 79 60 57
La Croix ValmerDomaine de la Croix
The story of Domaine de la Croix goes back to 1882, before the town of La Croix Valmer was founded, when a group of rich industrialists from Lyon planted a vast vineyard on the slopes facing the islands off the coast of Hyères-les-Palmiers. Bought up by the Bolloré group in 1991 (see Domaine de la Bastide Blanche), this vast 445-acre property, 222 acres of which are planted with "Cru Classé" vines, underwent a 5-year quality-oriented restructuring program, during which 80% of the vines were renewed after thorough soil preparation and restoration. The vineyard's first "new generation" vintage was rewarded in 2006 (initially rosé and white, with red to follow in 2007 after 18 months ageing), with a silver medal at Mâcon. The team is now focusing on production means, with a new wine store, main cellar and small cellar scheduled for completion in 2008.
ACCES :
at La Croix Valmer roundabout, take Boulevard de Tabarin then follow the signs to "Plages de Gigaro". The vineyard is situated at 1.5 km on your right. Tel. : 33 (0)4 94 95 21 79
GassinChâteau Barbeyrolles
Régine Sumeire is particularly famed for her Grenache and Cinsault "Pétale de Rose" rosé wine, with its delicate salmon colour and subtle floral and fruity bouquet, grown on the sunny Maures hills portrayed by French artist Camoin. Committed to respecting a natural ecological balance at all production stages from hand-picking to bottling, Régine nurtures 37 acres of vines stretching out at the foot of Gassin's former watchtower, and produces delicate, elegant rosés and full-bodied reds which marry ideally with poultry terrines and Provençal stuffed vegetables.
ACCES :
at La Foux roundabout, take the RD 61 road towards Ramatuelle. The vineyard is situated at 1.7 km on your right. Tel. : 33 (0)4 94 56 33 58
GassinChâteau Minuty
Run by the Matton Farnet family for three generations, this magnificent cru classé vineyard dates back to the Napoleon III era. Ideally exposed at the foot of the village of Gassin, its trellissed vines cover 222 acres of hillsides. The Chateau's time-old renown is owed to its limited yield and traditional production methods (environmentally friendly growing techniques, hand-picking, mechanical soil working, etc.). The vineyard produces two vintages (red, white and rosé): "Prestige" and "Oratoire", which take their name from the pretty private chapel bordered by two immense, ivy-framed palm trees.
ACCES :
at La Foux roundabout, take the RD 61 road towards Ramatuelle. The vineyard is situated at 1.5 km. Tel.:33 (0)4 94 56 12 09
GassinDomaine de Bertaud-Belieu
The property is easy to spot thanks to its Gallo-Roman columns and architecture reminiscent of a small Roman temple. In days gone by, it extended over the whole of the Saint-Tropez peninsula and, as legend tells, supplied holy wine to many of France's churches. Ancient stables sporting magnificent vaults built with small stones now harbour the wine-tasting area and lead into the impressive cellar stocked with around 100 oak barrels. This 148-acre vineyard (75% rosés and 20% reds) produces two remarkable vintages assembled modern techniques. The "Domaine de Bertaud-Belieu" Cuvée Prestige, elaborated using grapes from the highest slopes, and the "Domaine de Bertaud" Cuvée Tradition are regular medal-winners. Classic and stylish wines, not to be missed.
ACCES :
at La Foux roundabout, follow signs to Ramatuelle. The vineyard is situated at 1 km on your left. Tel.:33 (0)4 94 56 16 83
GassinDomaine du Bourrian
Massive oak barrels imported from Russia to Marseilles via the Black Sea form a rare and impressive "oak cathedral" inside the 1887 wine store, which unusually benefits from natural lighting despite being half buried. Located on the site of an ancient Gallo-Roman settlement, Domaine de Bourrian covers an area of 96 acres. The schistous soil caressed by maritime breezes produces noble grapes, meticulously worked by the Chapelle family since the 1930's. The vineyard's fruity, delicate and powerful wines are highly appreciated by connoisseurs.
ACCES :
at La Foux roundabout, follow signs to Gassin / Ramatuelle, then turn right at Golf de Gassin roundabout. Tel.:33(0)494 56 16 28
GassinDomaine du Pin Pinon
René Chapelle (see Domaine du Bourrian) has many fond memories of his father's prestigious clientele, which featured such famous names as Prince Rainier, Kessel, Pagnol and Dunoyer de Segonzac. This sunny, South-facing vineyard situated at the heart of the Saint-Tropez peninsula and personally owned by René covers an area of 17 acres and produces AOC wines elaborated using time-honoured methods combined with high-technology equipment. The reds and rosés, assembled from Grenache, Cinsault and Cabernet Sauvignon, offer an exceptional bouquet, best enjoyed with typical French Mediterranean or Var country-style cuisine.
ACCES :
at La Foux roundabout, follow signs to Gassin / Ramatuelle, then turn right at the Golf de Gassin roundabout. Tel.:33(0)494 56 12 33
GassinDomaine de la Rouillère
Impossible to miss this wine drive on the road to Ramatuelle ! A little Provençal cottage topped with flags shows visitors the way to the elegant Domaine de le Rouillère, named after the natural spring bubbling out of its hills. The property extends over 300 acres (100 of which are planted with vines) divided into 85 lots. Owner Bertrand Letartre has fond memories of the Fifties, when famous French actor Gérard Philippe took part in the wine harvest on these magnificent slopes, offering an infinite variety of walks above the peninsula. Backed by the region's top wine specialists and advisers, Bertrand now produces three elegant and flavourful vintages ("Tartane", "Cuvée du Cap" and "Grande Réserve), regularly recompensed at professional contests.
ACCES :
at La Foux roundabout, take the RD 61 road towards Ramatuelle. The vineyard is situated at 2 km. Tel. : 33 (0)4 94 55 72 60
GassinDomaine Tropez
In the heart of these green and forested hills inherited from his grandfather, Grégoire Chaix's massive stainless-steel tanks stand like giant vestals behind an immense bay window topped by a monolith of raw concrete designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti. And that's just for starters ! The vines are planted on several 70-acre lots around Gassin and the neighbouring villages. The grapes are hand-picked and sorted prior to maceration. Oak barrels are used to mature the most powerful varieties. Domaine Tropez produces red, white and rosé wines and has introduced a new vintage since 2007 - the "Tropez Black" - a unique rosé wine marketed in black bottles !
ACCES :
at "Carrefour Mort du Luc" after La Foux roundabout, take direction La Croix Valmer. The vineyard is situated at 3 km on your right. Tel.:33 (0)4 94 56 27 27
GassinLes Maîtres Vignerons de la presqu'île de Saint-Tropez
This association of 8 vineyards from the Saint-Tropez peninsula (2,200 acres of AOC terroir) was founded in 1964. Although each member harvests and vinifies his production in his own cellars to ensure an individual character is maintained, the Maître Vigneron oenologists provide advice and monitor the various phases of the wine making process. Only the best wines are selected for sale under the "Maîtres Vignerons" label. Several of the association's vintages are regular award winners, including Château Pampelonne's "Nature & Prestige" and "Cuvée Prestige de la Pêche". The extremely elegant tasting and sale area is completed with "Le Petit Village", where you can purchase a range of authentic regional products (herbs, spices, condiments, recipe books, etc.).
ACCES :
at La Foux roundabout, follow signs to Grimaud / Cogolin. The Maîtres Vignerons is located at 500 m on your left.Tel. : 33 (0)4 94 56 32 04
GrimaudCave coopérative "Les Vignerons de Grimaud"
You can still see the poster announcing the inauguration of this ancient wine cooperative way back on September 4, 1932 in Grimaud. The ceremony kicked off with a round of gunfire "in the presence of the authorities" and ended with the lighting up of the installations by the old Mediterranean Electricity Board! The largest group of its kind in the Bay of Saint-Tropez, the "Vignerons de Grimaud" is an alliance of nearly 300 wine-growers possessing a total of about 2,000 acres of vines spread throughout the peninsula, and equipped with state-of-the-art production and bottling facilities including a fully-automated bottling line with a capacity of 4500 bottles/hour. The attractive, Provençal-style "Vignerons de Grimaud" cellars offer a prestigious and representative selection of vintages from this internationally-famed terroir, including "Golfe de Saint-Tropez", "Comtesse Bonvallon", "Port-Grimaud", "Marquis de Vallats", "Mère Nature", "Cape d'Or", etc.
ACCES :
at the exit from Grimaud, take Avenue des Oliviers linking Grimaud and Port-Grimaud, then turn right just before the Gendarmerie. Tel.:33 (0)4 94 43 20 14
GrimaudDomaine du Val de Gilly
When Alexandre Castellan first founded "Val de Gilly" on the Saint-Tropez peninsula in 1880, on the site where the Giscle river has carved out a valley in the Maures Hills, the property was primarily dedicated to sweet chestnuts, olives and forestry work, rather than wine production. Today, this 150-acre vineyard, 67 of which is planted with vines, stretches out on the schistous southern slopes of the hills of Grimaud, far from the hustle and bustle of the coast, and is now run by the founding family's 5th generation of wine growers. The small yield and consistent quality of these multiple gold medal-winning wines makes them a rare catch. The Castellans boasts a loyal clientele, who appreciate the family's traditional wine-growing expertise. Every year, the vineyard takes part in the "Fête de la Vigne et du Vin" wine fair held on Ascension weekend.
ACCES :
from Grimaud, take the RD14 road towards Collobrières. Careful! Do not cross the bridge above Giscle river (towards Cogolin), but carry straight on for a few kilometres. The vineyard is signposted. Tel. : 33 (0)4 94 43 21 25
La MoleDomaine de Siouvette
Provençal property was bought up by the Sauron family in 1836 and is now run by Sylvaine and Guy Sauron. The vines, planted amid cork oaks and heather, extend 50 acres southwards to lap up the maximum amount of sunshine. Visitors can enjoy sampling three surprising red, white and rosé vintages on the pretty terrace shaded by plane trees: "Domaine de Souviette", "Cuvée Marcel Galfard" (Paris 2006 gold-medal awarded to the 2005 rosé), and "Siouvette Le Clos" - a more confidential wine grown on the highest hills, and probably the most faithful representative of the terroir (Paris 2006 gold-medal awarded to the 2005 rosé, Mâcon silver medal awarded to the 2003 red and 2004 white). Wine growing was already a tradition at this ancient farm, founded by the Fathers of the magnificent "Chartreuse de la Verne" Carthusian monastery, long before the French Revolution. Set at the foot of the Maures Hills, and sheltered from maritime influences, this genuine 18th-century.
ACCES :
from la Mole, take the RD 98 road towards Toulon, then turn right after 7 km. Tel. : 33 (0)4 94 49 57 13
Le Plan de la TourFouleurs de Saint-Pons
The youngest of the Var region's wine cooperatives (1962), the "Fouleurs de Saint-Pons" represents virtually all of the town's 110 wine growers and 740-acre production area. Built on several levels, the cellars are designed for optimal wine preservation and offer a steady low temperature in winter and summer, without air-conditioning. Situated at the gateway to Saint-Tropez, the Plan de la Tour terroir benefits from a particularly good winegrowing climate. Connoisseurs will appreciate these regular top prize winners and their stylish packaging, which includes a seductive restyled bottle for the "Cuvée Pomarin" red (aged in oak casks and stamped with "CP") and "Cuvée Domaine des Marquets", plus the classic corset bottle ("Cuvée Spéciale") and Alsatian bottle (Cuvée Festival) - quite a rarity in the Mediterranean. Visitors can enjoy wine and local produce tasting sessions and Provençal aperitifs every evening throughout July and August from 5 p.m.
ACCES :
exit from Le Plan de la Tour towards Grimaud. The cellars are located on your left. Tel. : 33 (0)4 94 43 70 60
RamatuelleLes Celliers des Vignerons
Founded in 1954 by a group of wine growers, the "Celliers de Ramatuelle" wine cooperative now has 150 members since its recent merger with the Fréjus cooperative, and covers a vast 1380-acre production area. Located on the mainly-schistous slopes of the Maures Hills, the Celliers vineyards benefit directly from Mediterranean influences. Vinification is performed on site after rigorous grape selection during the harvest. Multiple medal winners at the highest level competitions, the renown of these truly excellent wines now goes way beyond our frontiers. They are easy to identify thanks to their characteristic Roman balsamaire moulded bottle with its two symmetrical handles - the ancestor of the modern glass bottle and replica of the only original piece every discovered, dating back to 300 BC. Open days throughout summer.
ACCES :
head down towards the beaches from the village for about 1 km. Turn right at the first roundabout towards La Croix Valmer / l'Escalet. The cellars are situated at 600 metres on your left. Tel. : 33 (0)4 94 55 59 05
RamatuelleChâteau des Marres
Ariane and René Gartich, now seconded by their daughter and son-in-law, have literally transformed this family property - purchased at the turn of the 20th century by Félix Benet and his son Henri (at the time the forest grew all the way up to the farm !) into one of the area's very best addresses. The cellar is light-filled and opens onto the surrounding 67 acres of vines, producing a pale rosé with a grapefruit and white peach bouquet, two red vintages - "Classic" and "Prestige" - with firm tannins and notes of black fruit, plus a new white to relish with anchoïade (anchovy and caper paste) or tapenade (crushed black olives), grilled fish or country-style bouillabaisse. All Chateau vintages are regular prize-winners.
ACCES :
From Saint-Tropez, take the Route des Plages towards Ramatuelle. The Chateau is situated at 5 km on your right. Tel. : 33 (0)4 94 97 22 61
La Garde-FreinetChâteau des Launes
Château des Launes is a little vineyard lying at the footof the Maures Hills,at the gateway to the Bay of Saint-Tropez. Its slate and sandstone soil produces a small yield – the sine qua non for obtaining a wine of character with easily-recognisable origins. The chateau building, built in the late 19th century, is still used to age redwines. A succession of owners contributed to the vineyard's development in the 20th century. It was taken over by the Dielesen family in 2005 and renovated until spring 2009 . Nurturedwith infinite care and benefiting froman optimal rate of sunshine, the vines positively thrive on this soil. Every year, the Chateau produces a wine that is simply madefor sharing,born out of a love story between and family and a terroir.
ACCES :
Head towards La Garde-Freinet from Grimaud. Turn right at the village exit. Tel:+33(0)4 94 85 29 10
RamatuelleDomaine de la Tourraque
Ah ! If Paradise on Earth really existed it would definitely resemble this little, protected corner of the peninsula, niched between Cape Lardier and Cape Taillat, where La Tourraque stretches down to the sunny bay of Briande. Named after the site's ancient watchtowers, the vineyard covers an area of 247 acres, 100 of which are planted with vines and 5 with a grove of founr hundred olive trees - some over a century old - planted by the ancestors. The breathtaking beauty of this landscape has been preserved for over two centuries by the Brun family followed by the Craveris family, and the vines grow in entirely intact, wild surroundings. Apart from the traditional "Cuvée Joseph" created by the grandfather, the "Cuvée Les Hauts du Cap Taillat" is the vineyard's most typically Mediterranean vintage, and is bottled in classic Provençal style. The "Cuvée Domaine la Tourraque" is a high-class brew, assembled from the finest grapes, while the "Cuvée Harmonie" (aged in oak barrels) offers a complex, finelybalanced structure. 4x4 tours every Friday.
ACCES :
follow signs to L'Escalet from Ramatuelle, then follow signs to the vineyard. Tel. : 33 (0)4 94 79 25 95
Sainte-MaximeDomaine des Beaucas
Owned by the Roynette family, Domaine des Beaucas vineyard is situated at the foot of the Maures Hills between Sainte-Maxime and Plan de la Tour, on the former estate of the Princes of Condé. Nestling in a fairytale setting, the vineyard stands 250 metres over the beautiful Bay of Saint-Tropez. Our vines are planted on hillsides and benefit from a sandy clay-schistous terroir and exceptional maritime climatic conditions conducive to wine-growing. The region's generous Mediterranean sunshine is tempered by sea breezes, hence preventing excessive heat in summer and excessive cold in winter. The Domaine des Beaucas wines are produced exclusively using noble grape varieties: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Rolle. Our growing techniques are traditional and environmentally-friendly, with limited yields. The vineyard is entirely fenced to guarantee optimal exposure to the sun and promote healthy vine growth, and the grapes are harvested by hand in crates before being rigorously sorted. Our cellars are fitted with high-performance equipment, which combines with our expert wine-making techniques to produce Domaine de Beaucas's extremely high-quality and fragrant red, white and rosé wines.
ACCES :
Take the D25 road direction Le Muy, then the CD44 road direction Le Plan de la Tour (sightseeing itinerary). Access from Le Plan de la Tour : take the CD44 road direction Le Muy. Tel. : 33 (0)4 94 40 73 76
Saint-TropezCave coopérative de Saint-Tropez
One of the Var region's oldest wine cooperatives (celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2008 !), the "Cave Coopérative de Saint-Tropez" represents nearly 200 producers and 500 acres of sunny terroirs in Saint-Tropez, Gassin and Ramatuelle. The cooperative specializes mainly in Provençal rosés (80%), followed by powerful reds (15%) and generous whites (5%). Vintages include "Château la Moutte" (produced exclusively from grapes grown on the slopes of La Moutte), the very fruity "Cuvée Paul Signac", the "Cuvée des Bravades" and the "Réserve de la Cave", now presented in a bottle engraved with a Mediterranean "Tartane" ship and Saint-Tropez's world-famous bell tower. And let's not forget... The peninsula's magnificent environment and gentle quality of life owe much to our many acres of vineyards and the traditional growing techniques still practised by our producers. This magical world of untouched scenery coupled with fine wines offers an indelible and truly unique taste of Provence and the Med.
ACCES :
Saint-Tropez town centre, Avenue Paul Roussel, opposite the entrance to the "Parking des Lices" car park. Tel. : 33 (0)4 94 97 01 60
