From the Bellet vineyard to the hills of the Var, via Saint-Honorat Island and the terraces of Saint-Tropez, the Côte d'Azur can also be discovered through the vineyards. Wine lovers and nature lovers will find the door open in the confidential or emblematic domains that line the sunny roads of the region.
In the heart of olive trees and the song of the cicadas, the Côte d'Azur reveals a wine-growing tradition as rich as its panoramas. Rosés from Provence, light and luminous, owe their refinement to a subtle alchemy of grape varieties: violet from Grenache, the delicacy of Cinsault, citrus from Rolle (also called Vermentino), or even the assertive structure of Syrah or Mourvèdre. Grape varieties rooted in a land of light and wind, which give birth to wines that are straight, elegant, delicate — just like their land.
On the heights of Nice, the Bellet vineyard defies the cliches. Perched between 200 and 400 meters above sea level, it is one of the few in France to produce an appellation wine in the very heart of an urban fabric. Here, the sea is never far away, and the vines have their roots in a unique soil, composed of stony foothills and puddingue, a sedimentary rock typical of the Nice area, combining rolled pebbles and clay. This unique geology, combined with a microclimate combining sea breezes and alpine influences, gives Bellet wines mineral freshness and real complexity. The Château de Bellet, located in a former neo-Gothic chapel, offers tastings with a view of the Mediterranean. The Château de Crémat, all in Art Deco elegance, also opens its terraces on the Bay of Angels and magnifies indigenous grape varieties, such as Braquet, Folle Noire or Rolle, in finely crafted, sunny and vibrant cuvees.
.webp)
Along the coastline, the rosés of Provence find a singular expression in each corner of land. On Saint-Honorat Island, off the coast of Cannes, the monks of Lérins have been growing vines bathed in sea spray for sixteen centuries. Their cuvees, in particular Claret Saint-Honorat, are fine, saline, long and meditative. In Fréjus, on clay-volcanic soils, rosé wines from the eponymous AOC stand out for their intensity and tension. The Domaine de Barbossi, nestled in the Esterel, produces its wines organically, combining local tradition and elegant innovation.
Around Saint-Tropez, several domains cultivate excellence. Château Minuty, the emblematic silhouette of the Gulf, is the signature of the highly sought-after 281 cuvée, which is almost crystalline in refinement. In Ramatuelle, Domaine La Rouillère stands in a landscape of perfect vineyards, with a cellar sculpted in concrete and light. Château Barbeyrolles, a jewel in organic farming, combines freshness and complexity in a bucolic atmosphere. Everywhere, Provence blossoms in shades of pink.
In the Var hinterland, Grands Crus Classés interact with heritage. Château Sainte Roseline, an ancient abbey founded in the 12th century, houses a chapel decorated by Chagall, Bazaine and Ubac. Its cuvees are deep, balanced, imbued with elegance. The nearby Château Saint-Maur combines refined design and high-precision vinification. In Taradeau, the Château de Saint-Martin has perpetuated a family tradition carried on by women for three centuries. Le Clos d'Alari, in Saint-Antonin-du-Var, cultivates a sincere art of living: organic wines, permaculture vegetable gardens, olive groves and charming guest rooms.
Finally, for a total immersion, the Château de Berne, near Lorgues, deploys an estate of 500 hectares, between forest and vineyards. Five-star hotel, spa, Michelin-starred restaurant, exceptional cellar: everything here celebrates the Provençal art of living in its most inspired version.
Between scents of garrigue and salty spray, each of these areas tells a different story of the Riviera: more earthy, more secret, but just as brilliant. In each sip, the sun, the sea and the history vibrate together, sketching out a Provençal way of life where nature, culture and wine are one.
Cover: Minuty Castle © RR
Associated places
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)