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From the stylish city of Nice through the peaks of the Luberon Mountains to the captivating Camargue region, Provence’s vineyards are truly some of the most beautiful in the world. The south of France takes in sea coasts, Mediterranean splendor, scenic mountains, and picturesque villages. And so, the Provence vineyards are right in there amongst all of those magnificent terrains. They are waiting to be discovered and explored.
Of course, viewing the vineyards is only half of the pleasure of visiting this part of the French countryside. The other, no less important part, is sipping and savoring the wines they produce. Maybe that part is even more enjoyable. These wines are endlessly enjoyable, due to the climatea and characteristics of the soils. Most important is Provence’s ineffable terroir. We’ve done the hard work of sampling glasses at tasting rooms at Provençal wineries and in wine bars in some of the villages. Herewith, our favorite places for sipping the best wines from the vineyards of Provence.
Best Wineries for Enjoying the Fruits of Provence Vineyards
The Cote de Provence is dotted with historic wineries that date back generations or more. The best not only produce delicious wines, but they also come with gorgeous scenery and interesting stories. Because of that, don't just plan on an hour of two of tasting. Set aside a half day to enjoy all the pleasures of the vine.
Château Fontvert
This organic and biodynamic winery in the Luberon Mountains was founded in the year 1598. That family’s descendants still maintain the land in accordance with the estate’s founding principles and traditions. It’s especially well regarded for it’s mineral-forward white wines and classic rosés. As a bonus, it’s near the landmark village of Lourmarin, recognized by Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, with its 15th-century castle and renowned farmers’ market.
Address: 15 Chemin de Pierrouret, 84160 Lourmarin
Château la Verrerie
Although the rosé is delightful, a major reason to visit this cellar door, also in the Luberon region, is the design. The tasting room is set inside a former glass factory, with a contemporary design that holds on to a classic aesthetic. With advance booking, various tours and experiences are available. Some provide a simple overview and get straight into the tasting. Meanwhile, others let guests learn about winemaking from the sommelier or dive deep into master classes. These cover wine tasting or food and wine pairings.
Address: 1810 Route du Luberon, 84360 Puget
Château la Coste
At this winery, just outside Aix-en-Provence, the draw is not only the pleasures from Provence vineyards in the glass (all organic) but also the pleasures for the eyes. Architecture and art are a big deal here. The restaurant was designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Tadao Ando with a clean-lined, modern sensibility that puts the focus on the nature outside. There is also an art gallery. And a large collection of site-specific outdoor installation art is spread around the grounds.
Address: 2750 Route De, 13610 Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade
Château la Canorgue
One more from the Luberon, Château la Canorgue was the setting for the Russell Crowe film A Good Year. Although the house in the film is not open to the public, it’s possible to take in the scenery and sip some very good rosés at the cellar door. And you can try some reds, too. Another family-owned winery, this one has been in the same hands for five generations and more than 200 years.
Address: Route du Pont Julien - D149, 84480 Bonnieux
Vignobles Mayard
This family-run estate in the heart of the prestigious region of Châteauneuf du Pape is managed by the fifth generation of the family that owns it. They stay true to traditional methods of winemaking, ecological practices, and hand-picking. Covering 43 hectares, the estate has a wide range of grape varietals and terroirs, but of course, red is the thing to sip here.
Address: Avenue Baron le Roy, 84230 Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Best Wine Bars for Sipping the Best from Provence Vineyards
While it’s true that almost any wine will taste better at the source, there are other ways to sample them. Another good way to enjoy the wines of Provence is to pop into a wine bar in one of the region's villages or cities. In many cases, a delectable snack or even a full meal is part of the offer.
Au Verre Levé, Aix-en-Provence
The name of this organic wine bar means “to raise a glass,” which should tell you all you need to know about the place. It is a cozy, compact bar, with a few tables outside, to sample some of the best vintages from Provence vineyards. There’s a special emphasis on organic, biodynamic, and natural wines.
Address: 15 Rue Granet, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
Le Vieux Tunneau, Aix-en-Provence
The wine barrels used as tables should be a good clue. This cozy bar takes its wines seriously. Along with glasses of some of the best local vintages, there are delicious places to share, featuring local charcuterie. Recently, a stylish little sister wine bar, Le Petit Baron, opened in a fine location at the bottom of Place Cardeurs, near the water.
Address: 17 Rue des Chaudronniers, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
Cave de la Tour, Nice
Located on one of the prettiest square in Nice’s old city, this cozy wine shop and bar is a worthwhile stop. And since 1947, it has stocked the best bottles from nearly every producer in the region. The by-the-glass selection is shorter, of course. But it’s a lovely place to go for a typical Niçoise lunch and a glass of a delicious vintage produced nearby.
Address: 3 Rue de la Tour, 06300 Nice
La Cave à Vin, Arles
Along with wines, Champagnes, and eau de vie and other spirits from around France, this elegant wine bar spotlights wines from its own nearby vineyards. Various wine degustations are on offer, and the crowd tends to include lots of aficionados.
Address: 4 Avenue des Arches, 13200 Arles
Hotel de Tourrel
Hotel de Tourrel is the talk of town since it opened in 2016. A German couple behind the project fell in love with Provence and renovated this 17th-century hotel particulier from top to bottom. The wine shop on the ground floor is a highlight, with wines from all over France. The communal table with stools in the bar can be privatized for a special meal and tasting with friends. Or book a table tête-à-tête on the rooftop terrace, under the very starry night painted by Van Gogh when he stayed in town.
Address: 5 Rue Carnot, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Where to stay to be near the vineyards of Provence?
With Le Collectionist, renting luxury Provence villas has never been easier. Whether you prefer homes by the sea side, traditional Provençal homes, or homes for families, the choices are endless. Explore our collection to discover extraordinary houses for rent in Provence.
Looking for more ideas of things to do in Provence? Check out our article about the charm of holidays in the Luberon.
