Domaine de Trevallon ★ 4.9
IGP AlpillesCabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Marsanne, Roussanne17 haFounded 1973Durrbach familyWinemaker Antoine Durrbach (with Floriane Durrbach)Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDLes Baux-de-Provence
Eloi Durrbach planted Trevallon in the Alpilles foothills in 1973 and bottled the first vintage in 1976. The wine declassified to vin de pays in 1994 after the AOC required a maximum 20 percent Cabernet (the Trevallon blend is 50-50 Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah). Now bottled as IGP Alpilles and considered an IGP Alpilles cult red.
Tasting: No regular public visits; wines sold on allocation through importers
Signature wines: Domaine de Trevallon Rouge, Domaine de Trevallon Blanc
Tip: The Blanc, a Marsanne-Roussanne blend in small quantity, is even harder to source than the rouge.
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.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings strictly by appointment
Signature wines: Domaine Hauvette Cornaline, Domaine Hauvette Amethyste Rose, Domaine Hauvette Roucas Blanc
Tip: Cornaline (Cabernet-Grenache-Syrah blend) is the cellar candidate; the Amethyste rose ages remarkably well.
Les Baux-de-Provence AOCGrenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cinsault, Rolle, Roussanne56 haFounded 1988Carolyne and Stan SheetzDemeter CertifiedORGANIC CERTIFIEDLes Baux-de-Provence
Estate at Saint-Remy-de-Provence below the ruins of a 13th-century Templar castle. 56 hectares of vineyard, certified organic, Demeter biodynamic and a member of Biodyvin.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings; on-site park and ruins of the 13th-century Templar castle open to visitors
Signature wines: Chateau Romanin Grand Vin, Chateau Romanin Coeur de Romanin, Chateau Romanin Blanc
Tip: The Coeur de Romanin red is the estate's small-lot prestige cuvee.
