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Lorgues lies in the middle of the Côtes de Provence wine region, the largest rosé appellation in France. The vast majority of the wine made here is rosé: light, dry and perfect with a summer lunch on the terrace.
Château de Berne: wine within walking distance
From Villa Lorgues you can walk to Château de Berne, a large wine estate among the woods. You can taste and buy wine there, but also have lunch in the bistro, dine in the restaurant and walk or mountain bike along the marked routes through the vineyards.
Château Mentone: organic, with its own restaurant
Close to Lorgues is Château Mentone, a family estate with 32 hectares of vineyards producing organic Côtes de Provence. On the estate you can taste and dine at the restaurant La Table de Mentone. In the centre of Lorgues the estate also runs its own bistro, Maison Mentone, with a terrace on one of the prettiest squares in the village.
Château Sainte-Roseline and the Chagall chapel
In Les Arcs-sur-Argens, about twenty minutes away, is Château Sainte-Roseline, a cru classé with a centuries-old chapel. Inside the chapel is a mosaic by Marc Chagall. A visit combines wine, history and art.
What does cru classé mean?
In 1955 a selection of estates in the Côtes de Provence was given cru classé status. Eighteen remain today, including Sainte-Roseline and Domaine de la Croix near La Croix-Valmer. It is no guarantee for your taste, but a nice starting point for a tasting.
Taste like a local
- A dégustation is free or inexpensive at most estates; it is customary to buy something if you like it.
- Wine cooperatives (caves coopératives) sell good wine at a friendly price, often in bag-in-box too.
- Agree on a designated driver or plan your tasting within walking distance, at Château de Berne.
- Late September and early October is harvest time (vendanges): a lovely time to visit the region.
Header photo: Bingqian Li, Pexels License, via Pexels