Maison Vignes & Mer

Anecdotes from the Estate: Located a few kilometers from the Gallo-Roman site of Tauroentum, it is common to find fragments of amphorae or remains of Roman walls during major vineyard work, attesting to the Roman presence more than 2,000 years ago. A Little History of the Estate: Bandol wines were cultivated by the Romans and have been established in Provence for 2,600 years. It was one of King Louis XV's favorite wines, which he featured on the royal table. Inspired by this history and heritage, we are two young enthusiasts who decided to create an estate to showcase these wines, which until now had been entirely destined for cooperative wineries. Our 14 hectares of vineyards are meticulously maintained and have been cultivated for years in the heart of the Bandol wine region, primarily between the towns of La Cadière d'Azur and Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer. The pride of the estate: On poor soils, the dry climate is tempered by the coolness of the nearby Mediterranean. The Bandol wine terroir stretches like an amphitheater from the Sainte-Baume massif to the Mediterranean Sea. The vineyard, covering 14 hectares, is planted on terraces and faces due south towards the sea. The Bandol vineyard is located in the sunniest area of ​​France, with approximately 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. The stony soils, mostly limestone, are mixed with sandy marl and sandstone enriched with siliceous-calcareous elements. These are not very fertile but are well-drained. This aridity is balanced by the humidity of the sea air and by low rainfall (600 mm/year on average), sufficient to compensate for the summer water deficit. The terraces also allow for natural regulation of water resources. It is this very particular climate that best suits one of the most capricious French grape varieties, Mourvèdre.