“In the heart of Provence, the Var terroirs are those of the oldest vineyard in France. Today Côtes de Provence, Bandol and Côteaux Varois are enjoyed all over the world. Come and discover the wines of the Var with sunny flavors as well as the wine estates and marvelous vineyards of the Var.”
The history of Var wines
The first vines were imported 2600 years ago! The vineyards of the Var are famous for rosé wines, and the reds and whites have acquired their letters of nobility there. Rosé constitutes the largest part of the production since the Var is the world's leading producer of rosé! Long misunderstood, these are today wines made with high technicality, which have conquered palates and renowned tables.
The wines of the Var are produced with passion by winegrowers who are often heirs to family know-how. Modest estates, large renowned estates, without forgetting the cooperative cellars, they deserve a visit and a tasting. Come and meet the wine producers in the Var at the bend of a wine route. You will discover there beyond the flavors, a history, men and women, landscapes of vineyards bathed in sunshine, and very often not far from old bastides.
Var wines controlled designations
No less than 4 Controlled Designations of Origin (AOC – AOP) coexist in the wines of the Var, as well as a Protected Indication of Origin, “Vin de pays du Var”.
Bandol: 70 cellars and estates – 1600 hectares. The Bandol vineyard is staged in terraces in an amphitheater of the Sainte-Baume massif to the Mediterranean Sea. A unique terroir where the winegrowers dedicate their know-how to a rare grape variety, Mourvèdre, and produce wines with character.
Aix-en-Provence hillsides: 5 cellars and estates in the Var – 85 for the entire appellation – 4,300 hectares, 30% of which are organic or HVE. The appellation embraces the city of Aix-en-Provence and extends to the Var on the villages of Artigues and Rians. The strong presence of the Mistral in its climate gives the appellation a strong Provençal character.
Var coasts in Provence: 76 cellars and estates – 3000 hectares including 57% organic or HVE. The vineyard is located in the Var in the heart of limestone Provence, around Brignoles, in ProvenceVerte more precisely. Its terroir is distinguished by marked reliefs that culminate between 600 and 1,000 meters above sea level. Would you like to know the list of winegrowers? Download the Vineyards and discoveries guide here.
Coasts of Provence:342 cellars and estates in the Var – 390 for the entire appellation – 20,358 hectares, 28% of which are organic or HVE. It is the largest appellation of the four in terms of the number of estates and hectares. The vineyard benefits from a mosaic of terroirs. Five Additional Geographical Denominations: Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire, Côtes de Provence Fréjus, Côtes de Provence La Londe, Côtes de Provence Pierrefeu and Côtes de Provence Notre-Dame-des-Anges.
The Var Wines House
Each of the three AOCs has a Maison des Vins.
The Maison des Vins des Côtes de Provence: is located in Les Arcs-sur-Argens. It offers a reception area with modern infrastructure that houses a wine library of 750 bottles! The tasting cellar, open every day, offers the public a tasting of wines from the appellation.
The Maison des Vins de Bandol: is located in Le Castellet. The oenotheque, more accessible to the general public, is located in Bandol, opposite the Casino de jeux, on the seafront. It is a new space entirely dedicated to tasting. Also a sales area with a sleek design, the winegrowers here offer exceptional wines, in different vintages.
The Maison des Vins des Côteaux Varois en Provence: is located in the Royal Abbey of La Celle. Thus the appellation benefits from the prestige of this exceptional Provençal site to promote its values: authenticity, quality and tradition. In addition to an initiation area for tasting the wines of the appellation, the Maison des Vins houses in the Clos de l'Abbaye and in its park, a model vineyard and conservatory.
Our addresses
Close to Villa B, we have a large number of exceptional Côteaux Varois vineyards. Discover our favorite addresses:
Domaine Valcolombe: “The vineyard stretches over a generous terroir surrounded by cypresses and olive trees, guarded by an old Provençal bastide at the foot of the hills of Tourtour. The land is made up of clay-limestone and silty soil with a very favorable water regime which gives it an exceptional terroir for producing wines of excellence. There under the framework of a modern cellar, the wines for laying down ripen silently in noble barrels and younger wines await to be tasted".
Most ? It is available in the B Bar of Villa B
Practical informations:
The vineyard is open Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Address : 1375 chemin des Espèces, 83690 Villecroze
Phone : +33 4 94 67 57 16
Website : https://domainevalcolombe.com
5min by car from Villa B
Château de Berne: is very active in wine tourism and offers events throughout the year. The cool nights of the Haut Var ensure a slow maturation of the grapes, the rosés reach maturity later than on the coast. These are structured wines with structure that are well suited to food and wine pairings in contemporary cuisine.
Most ? Discover our complete guide to enjoy a day at the Château de Berne here
Practical informations:
The vineyard is open all year round.
Address: Route de salernes, 83510 Lorgues
Phone: +33 4 94 60 43 53
Web site: https://www.chateauberne.com
7 min by car from Villa B
Château Roubine: located between Lorgues and Draguignan, Château Roubine is one of the oldest vineyards in France, historically known since the 14th century, when the Order of the Templars ceded it to the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. In 1953, it obtained the title of "Cru Classé". The vineyard is characterized by natural drainage ("roubine" means "stream" in Provençal) and by clay-limestone soil.
Most ? It is available in the B Bar of Villa B
Practical informations:
The vineyard is open all year round.
Address: 4216 Route de Draguignan, 83510 Lorgues
Phone: +33 4 94 85 94 94
Web site: http://www.chateauroubine.com
23min by car from the Villa B
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