Bandol AOCMourvedre, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan, Syrah39 haFounded 1834Peyraud familyBandol
Reference Bandol estate at Le Plan du Castellet, run by the Peyraud family since 1834, with the single-vineyard reds La Tourtine, La Migoua and Cabassaou setting the bar for age-worthy Mourvedre-led Bandol.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings without appointment Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm
Signature wines: tempier-bandol-rouge, tempier-la-tourtine, tempier-la-migoua, tempier-cabassaou
Tip: The estate's classic Bandol rouge is the gateway, but the single-vineyard Cabassaou (pure old-vine Mourvedre) is the cellar candidate.
Bandol AOCMourvedre, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan19 haFounded 1997Alain PascalWinemaker Alain PascalBandol
Alain Pascal founded Gros 'Nore in 1997, bottling Mourvedre-led Bandol from family vineyards worked for three generations as growers. The reds are dense, tannic and require long cellar ageing (typically 10 to 20 years).
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings by appointment
Signature wines: gros-nore-bandol-rouge, gros-nore-bandol-rose, gros-nore-cuvee-antoinette
Tip: The cuvee Antoinette, named after Alain's mother, is the producer's old-vine flagship.
Les Baux-de-Provence AOC, IGP AlpillesGrenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carignan, Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette15 haFounded 1988Dominique HauvetteWinemaker Dominique HauvetteBiodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDLes Baux-de-Provence
Dominique Hauvette planted her first two hectares at Saint-Remy-de-Provence in 1988 and now works 15 hectares biodynamically. Vinifications use no added sulfur and the wines age in concrete eggs. She was named Vigneronne de l'Annee 2020 by Revue des Vins de France.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings strictly by appointment
Signature wines: hauvette-cornaline, hauvette-amethyste, hauvette-roucas
Tip: Cornaline (Cabernet-Grenache-Syrah blend) is the cellar candidate; the Amethyste rose ages remarkably well.
Les Baux-de-Provence AOCGrenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rolle40 haFounded 1759Cartier familyORGANIC CERTIFIEDLes Baux-de-Provence
Cartier family estate at Le Destet (Mouries), one of the founding organic producers of the Alpilles (now over 50 years of certified organic farming). 40 hectares of vineyard plus 20 hectares of olive groves at the heart of the Les Baux AOC.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings at the on-site shop; check website for hours
Signature wines: gourgonnier-tradition, gourgonnier-reserve-du-mas
Tip: Reserve du Mas, the long-aged red cuvee, is the cellar choice; the table-friendly Tradition pairs with Mediterranean lamb.
Mourvedre, Grenache, Cinsault, CarignanAppointment onlyLe Plan du Castellet, Bandol
Peyraud family Bandol estate tasting room outside Le Castellet, pouring the Mourvedre-led cuvees La Tourtine, La Migoua and Cabassaou by appointment.
Mourvedre, Grenache, Cinsault, CarignanWalk-ins welcomeSainte-Anne d'Evenos, Bandol
Bunan-family Bandol estate cellar on the Sainte-Anne d'Evenos terraces, pouring the Cuvee Fontaneou and Estagnol bottlings and the organic Bandol blanc.