Raise the Rosé: The Seven Best Vineyards in Provence, France

We’re remedying summertime temperatures with a chilled rosé from Provence’s best vineyards, including estates with serious eco-credentials and domaines dotted with contemporary art worthy of a gallery. Forget the lavender fields; this French wine is something oenophiles can really raise a toast to.

Thought Provence was all about lavender? After a few glugs of its delicate rosé, you'll likely think twice about that. Thanks to its Mediterranean climate and top-notch soils, this sun-drenched south-eastern region of France is strewn with more than 430 vineyards and cellars. But where to get your fix of the pink plonk? Read on for some of Provence's best vineyards specialising in rosé, including eco-friendly estates, domaines dotted with art and those where a glass of the good stuff is served with Michelin-starred dinners.

Eco-friendly wine estates, historic domaines and Provence's best rosé vineyards

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Mirabeau

Cotignac, Var

Set in the newly created terroir of Côtes de Provence AOC Notre Dame des Anges, the award-winning Mirabeau is a delightful, family-owned business with a curated boutique in Cotignac and a newly found wine estate. Its 14 hectares of sprawling vines - principally of the grenache, cinsault and rolle varieties - is fringed by umbrella pines, cork-oak trees and chestnut groves that form the Plaine des Maures nature reserve. The spectacular location chimes with South London founders Jeany and Stephen Cronk's commitment to Mirabeau's eco-credentials; moving beyond organic farming practices, they've adopted a regenerative-agriculture approach that supports a naturally thriving ecosystem - alpacas and sheep graze between the vines - and helps re-nourish the soil. If one of its four pale, vegan rosés don't take your fancy, try the botanical dry rosé gin.

Address

5 Cours Gambetta, Cotignac 83570

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Château de Berne

Lorgues, Var

This 1,500-acre estate is found at the end of a winding lane clad by woodland populated with Aleppo pines, ancient oaks and olive trees. If you're a lover of food, wine and travel, this is where you come for some R&R. Days spent dipping in and out of the estate's three pools, navigating cycling routes, trying cookery classes and - of course - wine tasting segue into late-afternoon spa sessions and dinner in the Michelin-starred Le Jardin de Berne. The Château de Berne produces all three colours of wine, though it's best-known for its blushing-pink plonk which embodies that freshness and flavour that makes Provence wines so exceptional. Committed to sustainability, the estate has earned the High Environmental Value (HEV) certification's top rating (Level 3), so you can shine your eco-halo as you sip.

Address

Chemin des Imberts, 83780 Flayosc

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Domaines Ott

Taradeau, Var

This is the grandfather of Provence's rosé brands - in the early 20th century, Marcel Ott was the first to commercialise premium rosé in the region. You'll likely recognise Domaines Ott*'s distinctive bottle shape, which echoes the Roman amphora. Only available in select five-star restaurants and hotels (Byblos in St Tropez being one) its wines are deliciously exclusive, and hail from vineyards are spread across three Provençal terroirs dedicated to sustainable viticulture: Clos Mireille, Château de Selle and Château Romassan. Our favourite tipple? The Etoile, a new cuvée for 2020 that blends the best grapes of all three vineyards.

Address

Château de Selle, 5093 Route de Flayosc, 83460 Taradeau

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Château d'Esclans

La Motte, Var

In 2006, Château d'Esclans produced, for the first time, a few barrels of Whispering Angel rosé from a vineyard tangled with 80-year-old vines. Today, that's just one of five quaffable cuvées in production here. Hugged by the Valley d'Esclans, a half-hour drive from the Mediterranean coast, the 650-acre estate (100 acres of which are decorated with vines) is known for its concentrated flavours of the grenache grape - it's from this that it produces what is hailed as the world's most expensive rosé: Garrus.

Address

4005 Route de Callas 83920 La Motte

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Château Léoube

Bormes-les-Mimosas, Var

Château Léoube was reborn in 1997 when Lord and Lady Bamford (of Daylesford fame) purchased a crumbling, 15th-century estate on the Côte d'Azur and applied their organic, biodynamic and environmentally friendly farming principles. Stretching across four kilometres of the Mediterranean Coast, it's the largest privately owned property along the sea - though its size isn't not compensating for anything. A pleasant walk from the Plage du Pellegrin, it draws epicurean visitors with its farm-to-fork food offerings, olive oil and flavour-packed, sustainable wines - three of which are crisp and bright rosés delivered in delightfully fuss-free bottles courtesy of designer Jacqueline Morabito. Our pick? The fruity La Londe.

Address

2387 Route de Léoube, 83230 Bormes-les-Mimosas

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Peyrassol

Flassans-sur-Issole, Var

Founded in the 13th century by the Knights Templar, the Commanderie de Peyrassol's 850 acres is carpeted with olive groves, oak trees and grapevines - small wonder pilgrims once made a habit of resting up here on their way to the Holy Land. With several centuries of viticulture know-how under its belt - and after a serious revamp in 2003 - the domaine has earned its place on the map of Provence's most respected vineyards. For a real taste of Provence, try the 1204, Clos Peyrassol or Château Peyrassol, each fresh, refined and delicate to taste. Between tipples, make time to visit the open-air sculpture park studded with contemporary art, swing a few serves on the tennis courts and check in to one of Peyrassol's farmhouse-style abodes.

Address

83340 Flassans-sur-Issole

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Château Sainte-Roseline

Les Arcs, Var

The Château Sainte-Roseline estate centres around the 11th-century Roseline Chapel, to which guests travel from afar to visit the body and relics of Saint Roseline That's only one small part of this estate, however. We've got our sights set on the 110-hectares of vineyards, which produces the herby Cuvée La Chapelle de Sainte Roseline as well as the award-winning Roseline Prestige - if you're after something pale, interesting and easy on the palate, this is the bottle for you. Before you down a glass too many, make a point of scouting out the Teillaud family's incredible contemporary art collection; you'll spot masterpieces by Chagall and Giacometti.

Address

1854 Route de Sainte-Roseline 83460 Les Arcs-sur-Argens

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