Cassis AOCMarsanne, Clairette, Ugni Blanc, Bourboulenc, Grenache, Cinsault6 haFounded 1997Genovesi familyWinemaker Sebastien GenovesiORGANIC CERTIFIEDCassis
Genovesi family estate at the foot of the Cap Canaille cliffs at Cassis, bought from Clair Lefevre in 1997 and organic-certified since 2011. Six hectares of vineyard producing roughly equal red, white and rose, with the Marsanne-dominant white as the flagship.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings; contact the estate to arrange
Signature wines: Domaine du Bagnol Cassis Blanc, Domaine du Bagnol Cassis Rose
Tip: Sebastien and Lisa Genovesi do open the tasting room when on-site; book in advance.
Cassis AOC, Cotes de Provence AOC, Bandol AOCMarsanne, Clairette, Ugni Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache, Cinsault22 haFounded 1928Santini familyORGANIC CERTIFIEDCassis
Santini family estate at Cassis, four generations on the property since 1928, working organic vineyard across three appellations (Cassis, Cotes de Provence and Bandol). The Cassis Blanc de Blancs is the estate's flagship white.
Tasting: Open Monday to Sunday, 9:30am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 6pm
Signature wines: Domaine du Paternel Cassis Blanc, Domaine du Paternel Cassis Blanc de Blancs, Domaine du Paternel Cotes de Provence Rose
Tip: Tasting room open without appointment most days; pair the Cassis Blanc with bourride at one of the harbourside restaurants.
Cassis AOCMarsanne, Clairette, Ugni Blanc, Bourboulenc, Sauvignon Blanc30 haFounded 1714Paret familyWinemaker Philippe GarnierORGANIC CERTIFIEDCassis
The same family has owned La Ferme Blanche at Cassis since 1714 (Francois Paret with his daughter Jeromine). Thirty hectares of organic-certified vineyard on the seaside hillsides facing the bay, with chalky and clay-limestone soils.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings; contact the estate to arrange
Signature wines: Domaine de la Ferme Blanche Cassis Blanc, Domaine de la Ferme Blanche Cassis Excellence Blanc, Domaine de la Ferme Blanche Cassis Rose
Tip: The Cassis Blanc Excellence cuvee, aged briefly in old oak, is the cellar candidate.
Bellet AOCFolle Noire, Braquet, Grenache, Rolle, Chardonnay8 haFounded 1993Sicardi and Sergi familiesWinemaker Joseph SergiBiodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDBellet
The Sicardi-Sergi families acquired this AOC Bellet estate in 1993 in the hills above Nice. Eight hectares of certified organic and biodynamic vineyard with the three heritage Bellet grapes (Folle Noire, Braquet, Rolle).
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings by appointment
Signature wines: Clos Saint Vincent Le Clos Rouge, Clos Saint Vincent Le Clos Blanc, Clos Saint Vincent Vino di Gio
Tip: Vino di Gio is a small-lot Folle Noire bottling, the prestige cuvee from the appellation.
Bellet AOCFolle Noire, Braquet, Rolle, Chardonnay, Grenache11 haFounded 1898Groupement Foncier ViticoleBellet
Founded in 1898 and historically run by Ghislain de Charnace from 1970, the estate was sold in 2012 to a viticultural investment group. Eleven hectares of vineyard in the Saquier hills inside the Nice city limits, with the three heritage grapes of the Bellet AOC.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings throughout the year
Signature wines: Chateau de Bellet Bellet Rouge, Chateau de Bellet Bellet Blanc, Chateau de Bellet Bellet Rose
Tip: The Folle Noire-led red has notable wild-herb and pepper notes typical of Bellet's mountain-meets-sea climate.
Bellet AOCFolle Noire, Braquet, Rolle, Chardonnay14 haFounded 1906Cornelia and Christophe LavardeBellet
Neo-Tuscan-style chateau built in 1906 in the hills of Nice on the Crematt, Saint-Sauveur and Saquier slopes. Fourteen hectares of vineyard across the appellation. Currently in private ownership after the Bagnis family sold in the mid-1990s.
Tasting: Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5:30pm; tastings and guided tours available
Signature wines: Chateau de Cremat Bellet Rouge, Chateau de Cremat Bellet Rose, Chateau de Cremat Bellet Blanc
Tip: Easiest of the Bellet estates to visit: the chateau is open six days a week with regular guided tours.
