I must share one of my favorite, local wine domaines to take visiting friends and family just outside of Aix-en-Provence. The domaine is located directly on the Cengle, in a very dramatic setting nearly at the top of the majestic Sainte Victoire of Provence. Perched upon one of the most breathtaking natural sites in the region at 550 m altitude and down roughly 17 kilometers of bumpy gravel roads, you will find Domaine ...
Cassis is a slice of seaside dreams, a true Provence treasure. Situated along the Mediterranean Sea, Cassis is home to the characteristic Massif de Calanques, the highest cliffs in France, stunningly dressed in white limestone. These deep inlets shelter the terraced vineyards of Cassis, which are truly distinct from their Provençal neighbors.Established as an Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP) in 1936, Cassis was one of the first in the region. The village of ...
There is a spot of mystique and natural beauty that must be experienced to be understood: the Provençal wine region of Les Baux-de-Provence Appellation d'origine controlee (AOP).The Alpilles Mountains run a ridge through the north-western corner of the Bouches du Rhône department of Provence. Alpilles means little Alps, but visitors to the area are moved by the largess of the wildly rugged, authentic and mysterious setting. It’s here that a small group ...
I had the true privilege to meet the charming family winemakers behind the highly regarded Château Fontcreuse (The Brando Family pictured below right) recently, as they opened up their château and tasting room in Cassis to us, to learn about an exciting new wine collaboration they are set to release.Jean-François Brando is the winemaker and proprietor of Château Fontcreuse, a highly regarded "vigneron" producing some of Cassis' finest wines at his historic and mystical site, right at the ...
The Sumeire Family has lived in Trets next to the Sainte Victoire since the 13th century. This local winemaking family owns three châteaux in Provence, the region where the first vines were planted in France: Château Maupague, Château Coussin, and Château l'Afrique. We caught up with Annabelle Sumeire recently to visit the property and learn more about the story of their wines including César, which was inspired by local artist, César Baldaccini (1 January 1921 in ...