Maison des Vins de Bandol oenotheque ★ 4.5
15 by the glassLe Castellet (Bandol)
The Bandol consortium's tasting house at Le Castellet, with comparison flights from across the AOC's 51 producers.
The list: The Bandol consortium's tasting house at Le Castellet pours from the 51 producers of the AOC, the one-stop place to taste a comparison flight from Domaine Tempier, Pibarnon, Bunan, Suffrene, La Begude and Pradeaux in one sitting
Tip: The Castellet oenotheque is the best starting point for any Bandol trip; staff can suggest the producers whose cellars to visit next based on what you respond to in the flight.
Maison des Vins Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence ★ 4.2
14 by the glassAix-en-Provence
The Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence tasting house in central Aix, with a curated flight from the 64 member domaines of the appellation.
The list: The Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence consortium tasting house in central Aix, with a roster of estates pouring rose, red and white from the appellation's 64 member domaines
Tip: Combine the Maison des Vins tasting with a walk along the Cours Mirabeau and an evening dinner in the old quarter; the consortium tasting is the best primer before driving to the domaines.
Maison des Vins Coteaux Varois en Provence (Abbaye de la Celle) ★ 4.3
12 by the glassLa Celle (Provence Verte)
The Coteaux Varois consortium's tasting house at the Abbaye de la Celle, with the appellation's roster across the cloister setting.
The list: The Coteaux Varois consortium's tasting house at the Abbaye de la Celle, with rose, red and white from the appellation's 51 estates pouring against the cloister
Tip: The Abbaye de la Celle restaurant next door (a Relais & Chateaux) is the natural pair for a long afternoon tasting; book lunch ahead.
Maison des Vins Cotes de Provence (Les Arcs) ★ 4.5
18 by the glassLes Arcs-sur-Argens (Cotes de Provence)
The Vins de Provence consortium's flagship tasting house at Les Arcs-sur-Argens, with the broadest curated Cotes de Provence flight in the region.
The list: The Vins de Provence consortium's flagship tasting house at Les Arcs-sur-Argens, with a broad Cotes de Provence selection and a restaurant pairing the local rose roster with regional Provençal cooking
Tip: The Les Arcs Maison des Vins is the single largest Provence wine tasting house; come with at least an hour to spare and the staff will guide a tasting curated to your taste.
Cremant de Provence pours at the Maison des Vins de Bandol ★ 4.0
8 by the glassLe Castellet (Bandol)
The Bandol consortium's tasting house pours a Cremant de Provence flight beside its Mourvedre roster when stocks allow.
The list: The Bandol oenotheque includes a Cremant de Provence flight when available, with traditional-method Provençal sparkling poured beside the appellation's still wines
Tip: Cremant de Provence is the least-known of the regional Cremants; ask the Maison des Vins about availability before driving up.
Chateau Leoube sparkling and rose tasting ★ 4.4
10 by the glassBormes-les-Mimosas (Cotes de Provence)
Chateau Leoube's organic Cotes de Provence cellar at Bormes-les-Mimosas, with rose and sparkling tastings in a sea-view garden.
The list: Chateau Leoube's organic-certified cellar at Bormes-les-Mimosas pours its Cotes de Provence rose alongside the estate's sparkling Provençal cuvees, with garden tastings overlooking the sea
Tip: The garden tasting at Leoube has sea views; arrive late afternoon for the best light, with bottles to take to the beach below.