Things to See & Do

Wine Tasting & Vineyards in the Luberon

Wine is certainly very much part of everyday life in Provence whether it be a chilled glass of róse, which can be taken at almost anytime. The reds are typically made from grapes such as Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. The whites have come on leaps and bounds too over more recent years with varieties including Grenache Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino, Clairette Blanche.

Of course the supermarkets carry a huge selection of rosé and reds, rather less whites, mostly from the local region. But for a real experience why not visit the vineyards where you can taste and buy the wine and depending on your level of french chat with the wine makers. It should be said if you do stop for a tasting you don’t have to buy if it’s not to your taste.

We have a list of our favourite vineyards in the immediate area and can also recommend others in the nearby regions of the Rhone valley which includes areas such as Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Chateauneuf de pape, Cairanne or on the south side of the Luberon towards Aix en Provence. We can also arrange bespoke vineyard tours.

Here are a few of our regular vineyards that we recommend:

La Cave de Sylla
D900, 84400, Apt, Tel 04 90 04 60 37
Proprietor – Local Co-operative
Opening times – 9h – 19h, closed Sundays,(except in high season)
Offers a great ‘cheese’ lunch and you can buy some at the counter afterwards. Comprehensive selection of local wines from locally grown grapes. Bag in box also great value. Take our card for discounts.

Chateau Blanc/Domaine Chasson
Rue de la Fontaine (D227), 84220, Roussillon, Tel 04 90 05 64 56
Proprietor – Jean Claude Chasson
Opening times – 8h – 12h, 14h – 18.30h, everyday, winter hours apply
Lovely ‘bar’ in this tasting room mention you are staying with us and you may get an extra bottle as a gift.  Wide choice of wine – try the oak barrelled Viognier and red Mon Père.

Cave Aureto
D900 Chemin des Lievres, 84220 Goult  04 90 74 54 67
The wine domaine of Hotel Coquillade, a little more expensive (take our card for discounts) but outstanding wines, we particularly like the white Tramontane and red Petit Miracle.

Domaine de la Verrière
Goult , off the D900 near Aureto.
Local vineyard, the Maubert family (his brother landscaped our garden). Great rosé, very pale and good value.

Domaine de la Bastidonne
D110 off the D15 Coustellet to Gordes road, 84220, Cabrières d’Avignon,
Tel 04 90 76 74 34, Proprietor – Gilbert Marreau
Opening times 9h – 12h, 15h – 19h, closed Sundays and Bank holidays
Winter hours apply  They sell some of Karen’s favourite white wine here – the Ventoux white for ‘everyday’ quaffing wine and Les Grès for weekends!

Chateau la Canorgue
Route de Pont Julien, 84480, Bonnieux, tel 04 90 75 81 01
Proprietor – Jean-Pierre Margan
Opening times – 9h – 12h, 15h – 17h, closed Sundays & Bank holidays
Winter hours apply.
You might recognise this vineyard if you have seen the film ‘A Good Year’, as this was the location for the chateau that Russell Crowe inherited. One of the first ‘bio’ vineyards, their wines are often served in local restaurants.

Chateau Eydins
Route de Pont Julien, 84480, Bonnieux, tel 04 90 75 61 58
Proprietor – Serge Seignon
Opening times – Everyday 9h – 12.30h, 14.30h – 19h
Lovely ‘bio’ wines, we like the white particularly that they serve in the Michelin starred restaurant, ‘Le Bistrot de Lagarde’, Apt.

From our experience most domaines are welcoming and friendly, but remember you’re often meeting the wine maker or his wife or mother. They are not sales people! Do ask questions and don’t be shy to spit out the wine and don’t feel obliged to buy. A good option for carrying home is bag in box, usually in 5 or 10 litres, they are reliably good from the above vineyards and are vacuum sealed.