Bandol Wines

Wine has been made in Provence for at least 2,600 years, ever since the ancient Greeks founded the city of Marseille in 600 BC.  Throughout the region's history, viticulture and wine-making have been influenced by the many cultures that have been present in Provence, including the ancient Greeks, the Romans and the Gauls to name a few.  These diverse groups introduced a large variety of grapes to the region, from Greece, Italy and Spain as well as traditional French wine grapes.

Grape Vines in the Bandol Region

Provence has a classic Mediterranean climate, with the sea forming its southern border.  Mild winters are followed by very warm summers with little rainfall.  Sunshine is found in abundance in this region with the grapevines receiving more than 3,000 hours per year, twice the amount needed to ripen grapes fully.   The ideal vineyard locations are on hillsides facing south towards the sea, with the hill providing some shelter from the mistral's strength.

Ground Ready for Planting a New Generation of Grape Vines
 

The Bandol wine region, located near the coast east of Marseille and Cassis, is one of the most internationally recognized wines of the Provence regions.  Today the region is known predominantly for its rosé wine, though in reality, the region's best wines are its spicy, full-flavoured red wines which account for most of the region’s production.  White wine is also produced in small quantities throughout the region.

Bandol Red
 

The AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) is produced by 8 communes with silicon & limestone soils.  Those soils and the warm, coastal climate are ideally suited for the late ripening Mourvèdre grape which is the major variety for both the red and rosé wines.  Mourvèdre must account for at least 50% of the blend, though most producers will use significantly more; with Grenache and Cinsaut (the latter being used as a significant component in most rosé) usually completing the composition.  Syrah and Carignan are restricted in Bandol to a maximum of 15% of the blend or 10% individually.  Nearly 70% of the production is red wine with rosé and a small amount of white wine making up the remainder.  Red Bandol wine is characterized by its dark colour with rich flavours of black fruit, vanilla, cinnamon and usually requires at least 10 years of aging before it fully develops.   Some wine is however produced to be drinkable in three years.  Prior to release, the wine is required to age at least 18 months in oak.  The use of mechanical harvesting is prohibited by the rules of the AOC

Bandol AOC Wines
 

I was privileged to visit a number of the region’s vineyards, some of which are part of the vineyards we visit during my yearly Food and Wine tours of Provence.

Chateau de Pibarnon

Overlooking the Mediterranean and grown on undulating hills, the Pibarnon vineyard is situated on the highest slopes of the soil of Bandol.  On the hill stands the Pibarnon farmhouse, a perfect replica of an 18th century Provençal farmhouse.  

The Chateau de Pibarnon

Above the farmhouse are ranks of vines up to a height of 300 metres.  The vines, are planted on restanques, centuries-old terraces hand-built by generations of "wall-builders.

The Chateau de Pibarnon Vineyard
 

The secret of Pibarnon's wines lies in its local soil which perfectly regulates the flow of water to the vineyard, a brilliant grape variety, Mourvèdre, and an altitude of more than 300 metres above sea level.

The holding Tanks Ready for the New Harvest

Heading to the Degustation Room

 

Chateau de Rochebelle

The Chateau de Rochebelle is a family winery run by Hubert Jouve, his brother Dietrich and his sister Brunhild.  The farm dates from 1840 and covers today an area of 15 ha. It is located at la Cadière d’Azur in the Var, in the heart of the Bandol AOC.  The production is divided into Bandol AOC and Vin de Pays du Var and provides red and rosé wines from a responsible farming and traditional respect for nature and the environment.

Chateau de Rochebelle

 

Chateau de Rochebelle Cypress Alley

 

A special feature of Chateau de Rochebelle wines is the use of the Alicante grape variety, which gives highly coloured and alcoholic wines.

Rochebelle Estate Grape Vines Prior to Pruning
 

Besides the architectural distinction of this noble house, the Chateau de Rochebelle takes its name from the presence of a Roman general tomb, which was surmounted by a huge stone lion.  The lion is now the emblem of the property.

The Rochebelle Estate

The Rochebelle Lion

Domaine de la Garenne

Having long been dedicated to wild rabbit hunting, the land was devoted to viticulture by Count Jean de Balincourt.  The estate covers 27 hectares of which 22 hectares are in (AOC).

A Mourvèdre Grape Parcel at the Domaine de la Garenne
 

On a clay and limestone soil, the vineyard is mostly planted with Mourvèdre, Cinsaut and Grenache.  The culture of the vine is provided by a traditional tillage and manual grape harvest.  The Domaine de la Garenne produces 70% of rosé and 30% of red wine and occasionally some white wine.

Beatrix de Ballincourt - Owner and Manager of the Domaine de la Garenne

The Domaine de la Garenne Tasting Room

Red Wines from the Domaine de la Garenne
 

Domaine Dupuy de Lôme

This family estate is located in a magnificent 80-hectare natural amphitheatre.  The 15-hectare vineyard enjoys a northerly exposition.  The Domaine doesn’t use any chemical pesticides opting instead for a mechanised weeding process.  In 2013, the Domaine gained its organic label.

Domaine Dupuy de Lome
 

The grapes are harvested manually and produce a Red Bandol made of 90% Mourvèdre, and 10% Grenache.  Their Bandol Rosé comprises 70% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 10% Cinsaut.  Very little white wine is produced at the Domaine.

Holding Tanks at the Domaine Dupuy de Lome

Dupuy de Lome Wines Ready for Despatch
 

Domaine Lou Capellan

This Domaine is also a family venture since 1934 when the Silvestri family migrated from Italy and settled in the region to cultivate and grow grapes.

Driveway to the Domaine Lou Capellan

Lou Capellan Grape Vines 
 

The Domaine produces Reds, Rosés and whites in both Vins de Bandol and Vins de Pays which do not require the stringent rules of the Bandol AOC appellation.

Domaine Lou Capellan Degustation Room

Lady with the Grapes

 

Moulin de la Roque

The original Moulin de La Roque was located in a 16^th century windmill.  Founded in 1950, Le Moulin de La Roque cellar was initially designed for the maturing of Bandol red wines for 18 months, a requirement imposed by the appellation.

In 1964, through the efforts of the winegrowers and following numerous investments, Le Moulin de La Roque became a wine production cellar for Bandol wines.  In 2006, the winery merged with the Beausset site.  In 2012, a new winery was inaugurated on the exceptional Castellet site.  Today, the company is made up of 200 winegrowers.  The vineyards of Le Moulin de La Roque cover a total surface area of 310 hectares, 265 of which are in the Bandol appellation.

The Display and Sales Area at the Moulin de la Roque

The Different Terroirs of the Bandol Region and the Wines they Produce

The Oak Barrels Holding the Region's producers' Wines