Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence AOCGrenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rolle, Sauvignon Blanc110 haFounded 1850Bonnet-Vallet familyORGANIC CERTIFIEDCoteaux d'Aix-en-Provence
Calissanne sits at Lancon-Provence overlooking the Etang de Berre with 110 hectares of vineyard plus 80 hectares of olive groves and farmland under organic certification.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings at the on-site shop; check website for current hours
Signature wines: Chateau Calissanne Clos Victoire Rouge, Chateau Calissanne Prestige Rouge, Chateau Calissanne Cuvee Romain Rose
Tip: Clos Victoire is the prestige red flagship from old-vine Cabernet and Syrah.
Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence AOCGrenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Rolle40 haFounded 1983Terrat familyBiodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDCoteaux d'Aix-en-Provence
Pioneer of organic agriculture in the Coteaux d'Aix since the 1980s, owned by the Terrat family since 1996. 40 hectares of biodynamic vineyard at Lambesc, north-west of Aix between the Alpilles and the Luberon.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings; contact the estate to arrange
Signature wines: Domaine des Beates Terra d'Or Rouge, Domaine des Beates Esprit des Beates Rouge, Domaine des Beates Les Beatines Rose
Tip: Terra d'Or red is the estate's most cellar-worthy cuvee.
Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence AOCGrenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Rolle, Sauvignon Blanc43 haFounded 1855Double familyWinemaker Phanette DoubleORGANIC CERTIFIEDCoteaux d'Aix-en-Provence
Owned by the Double barons descendants since 1855, the estate at Saint-Cannat (10 kilometres west of Aix-en-Provence) farms 43 of its 130 hectares to vine. Organic-certified since Phanette Double took over the vineyard work in 2013.
Tasting: Boutique open daily 10am to 7pm including public holidays; cellar tours by appointment
Signature wines: Chateau de Beaupre Collection Rouge, Chateau de Beaupre Tradition Rose, Chateau de Beaupre Blanc
Tip: The boutique is open every day with broad opening hours, unusually walkable-in for the Coteaux d'Aix.
Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC, IGP Var Sainte-BaumeGrenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rolle15 haFounded 1963de Lanversin familyORGANIC CERTIFIEDCoteaux Varois en Provence
Lanversin family estate at Saint-Maximin in the cooler inland Coteaux Varois, 15 hectares of certified organic vineyard on south-facing limestone slopes at the foot of the Sainte-Baume massif.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings; contact the estate to arrange
Signature wines: Domaine du Deffends Clos de la Truffiere, Domaine du Deffends Rose d'une Nuit, Domaine du Deffends Cuvee Rouvier Rouge
Tip: The Clos de la Truffiere, single-vineyard Cabernet-led red, is the cellar candidate.
Coteaux Varois en Provence AOCGrenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rolle, Sauvignon Blanc17 haFounded 1999Famille PerrinORGANIC CERTIFIEDCoteaux Varois en Provence
17-hectare organic estate at Chateauvert in the Provence Verte, owned by the Famille Perrin (also of Chateau de Beaucastel and the Miraval joint venture). Ecocert-certified organic since the vines were replanted in 1999.
Tasting: Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm from April to October
Signature wines: Chateau Margui Perle de Margui Rouge, Chateau Margui Rose, Chateau Margui Blanc de Blanc
Tip: Perle de Margui, the prestige red blend, is the estate's most layered wine.
Cotes de Provence AOC, Cotes de Provence Sainte-Victoire AOCGrenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rolle45 haFounded 1813Negrel familyWinemaker Matthieu NegrelORGANIC CERTIFIEDCotes de Provence Sainte-Victoire
The Negrel family has owned Mas de Cadenet at Trets since 1813, working 45 hectares of vineyard at the foot of the Sainte-Victoire mountain in the Cotes de Provence sub-denomination. Currently run by Guy, Maud and Matthieu Negrel.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings at the on-site boutique
Signature wines: Mas de Cadenet Arbaude Rose, Mas de Cadenet Mas Negrel Rouge, Mas de Cadenet Sainte-Victoire Rose
Tip: The Arbaude rose, single-vineyard from a parcel north of the property, is the cellar candidate.