Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence AOCGrenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rolle, Chardonnay200 haFounded 2002Patrick McKillenBiodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDCoteaux d'Aix-en-Provence
Patrick McKillen restored the 200-hectare Chateau La Coste estate from 2002 with biodynamic certification across the entire vineyard. The property doubles as an open-air sculpture park with works by Tadao Ando, Jean Nouvel, Oscar Niemeyer and Frank Gehry.
Tasting: Daily tastings at the Tadao Ando-designed pavilion; guided cellar tours plus walking art and architecture loop
Signature wines: la-coste-grand-vin-rouge, la-coste-grand-vin-blanc, la-coste-rose
Tip: Combine cellar tasting with the 2-km outdoor art and architecture loop; lunch at the on-site restaurant by Argentine chef Francis Mallmann.
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: calissanne-clos-victoire, calissanne-prestige, calissanne-cuvee-romain
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: beates-terra-d-or, beates-esprit-des-beates, beates-les-beatines
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: beaupre-collection, beaupre-tradition, 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: deffends-clos-de-la-truffiere, deffends-rose-d-une-nuit, deffends-cuvee-rouvier
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 heart of 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: margui-perle-de-margui, margui-rose, margui-blanc-de-blanc
Tip: Perle de Margui, the prestige red blend, is the estate's most layered wine.
