12 Wineries Grape Reasons to Visit Lorgues Terres de Vins

Why Visit Lorgues?

Another agricultural town in the Var might not be on most travel agendas. But, if you love food, wine and history, it should be. Lorgues is a magnificent old Provencal village surrounded by olive groves, wheat fields and wineries – the Lorgues Terres de Vins. Wine is an economic driver for the region, with a dozen vineyards easily accessible from the town centre.

Epicureans love the Tuesday morning farmers market, Michelin-starred restaurants (five as of 2020), and the Lorgues Coffee Roasters.

©asimplyfablife

In the heart of limestone Provence, between the sea and the Gorges du Verdon, Lorgues is an ancient Ligurian settlement with remarkable stone architecture. Access the old town through one of the gateways in the medieval defensive walls. Stroll through the town centre with its typical Provencal architecture and colourful facades. There are ancient ramparts, a notable belfry and the prominent Saint-Martin Collegiate Church. Many of Lorgues’ buildings date from the 18th and 19th centuries, including the Hôtel de Ville and Palais de Justice. With small, shaded squares, embellished fountains, and public washbasins (lavoirs), the old town is a lovely place to explore.

Outside of town, turn back the clock with a walk to the marks of an old oppidum refuge and hermitage on the Saint Ferréol hilltop. Near to Lorgues are several of the Var’s highlights, including the L’Abbaye du Thoronet, the charming village of Tourtour and the caves of Villecroze carved into a sheer limestone cliff.

Enjoy this tourism video of Lorgues:

Explore the Vineyards

The Var’s hillsides have weathered conflicts from antiquity through the French Revolution and WWII. We can thank the Romans for planting some of the original vines in the area and the Knights Templar for bringing order to the process.

©Château Mentone

Prince Félix of Luxembourg (the owner of Château les Crostes) hosted a lunch in October 2015 where he proposed a vineyard association. His concept – Lorgues Terre de Vins – for the group to work collectively in promoting wine country activities was established in February 2016.

« The vision of our association is to promote the city of Lorgues, which is rich in its history and beauty, but also in the winegrowers who surround it. We also wanted to highlight the different products that we produce in our estates and châteaux. »

There are 12 wineries in the Lorgues Terre de Vins association, listed below in alphabetical order. Of varying size, the vineyards all produce excellent wines typical of the Côtes de Provence.

Château de Berne

Château de Berne delivers a 5-star escape in near Lorgues the heart of the Var. The 500-hectare property, located in the South of France’s rolling hills, includes an award-winning vineyard, luxurious spa and a magnificent setting for a wedding.

©GrapeEscapes

The Romans planted the original vines along the Via Aurelia. In the 12th century, a Cistercian Order of monks worked the land donated to them. Over the centuries, the Château changed hands a few times before the current owner acquired the property in 1995, and the modern transformation began. Today, the estate produces 750,000 bottles/year of red, white and rosé wines in a state-of-the-art facility. Wine tasting is available seven days a week in the boutique.

Château de Berne
Chemin des Imberts
83780 Flayosc

Château L’Arnaude

Family-run Château L’Arnaude is just five (5) minutes from Lorgues, where three generations of the Bréban family have operated the 30-hectare property. Vines cover 20 hectares of the land producing AOP Côtes de Provence wines. Stop and visit the cellar and taste the cuvées. Adventure types may want to try one of the six (6) rope courses or the zipline at Le parc accrobranche de l’Arnaude Aventures on the property. There is also a bastide with accommodation for 12 people available for rent.

Château L’Arnaude
Route De Vidauban
83510 Lorgues

Here is a quick glimpse of this vineyard.

Château La Martinette

The original Château La Martinette came to be in 1796 after the French Revolution. However, it burnt to the ground in 1880 and had to be rebuilt. The former silk farm sits on a 350-hectare (863 acres) property. With 45 hectares (111 acres) of grapevines, 1700 olive trees, 700 fruit trees, a large farm garden, and lavender fields, there is a lot of activity on the property.

Domaine viticole du Château La Martinette à Lorgues ©Dragon.S

Château la Martinette’s wines are from traditional Provençal grape varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsaut, Clairette, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Rolle, Syrah and Tibouren (a local varietial). The vineyard is moving towards organic certification for its wines. Wines are produced from only grapes grown on the property using a gravitational process harvesting to bottling. Sample the wines in the boutique or book a table at Vigna, the onsite restaurant, for a farm-to-table experience.

Domaine viticole du Château La Martinette à Lorgues ©Dragon.S

Château la Martinette
4005 chemin de La Martinette
83510 Lorgues

Château les Crostes

©Château Les Crostes

Set in 220 hectares of forest, Château les Crostes has 44 hectares of grapevines and a castle just 40 minutes from Saint Tropez. The wine cave was equipped and outfitted in 1990, the year before winemaker Ted Garin joined the team bringing his expertise from St Emilion in the Bordeaux area. In 2013, Félix de Luxembourg and his young family took over the reins at Château les Crostes. Are you looking for a holiday or wedding location? Book the 11-bedroom 17th-century mansion surrounded by gardens and olive groves.

©Château Les Crostes

Château les Crostes
2086 Chemin de Saint-Louis
83510 Lorgues

Château Mentone

©Château Mentone

Like many of its neighbours, Domaine de Château Mentone has a history. The property was a donation to the Church, in 1033, by the Chateaurenard family, the lords of Entrecasteaux. The land was previously a Gallo-Roman settlement complete with a necropolis. A vineyard since the 19th century, a silk farm for a while, the property changed hands several times until Marie-Pierre Caille and her family purchased the land in 2003. A true destination for oenophiles, Château Mentone, has onsite accommodation and seminar space. The team invites you to explore, taste and relax; mountain bike ride through the vines, book a table at la Ferme-Auberge, enjoy a spa service or celebrate a wedding.

©Château Mentone

Château Mentone
401 Chemin de Mentone
83510 Saint-Antonin du Var

The boutique is open:
Daily 10h à 19h (May – October)
Monday – Friday 10h – 17h (November – April)

Or book a private visit to the chai.

Château des Sarrins

©Domaine des Sarrins

The Paillard family bought the Château des Sarrins in 1995 to regenerate the 27 hectares of vines. This vineyard follows organic principles, and all the wines are from grapes grown on the property. The average annual production is about 60,000 bottles, of which 70% is rosé, 10% is red, and 20% is white. Open Monday through Friday for winetasting.

©Domaine des Sarrins

Domaine des Sarrins
897 Chemin des Sarrins
83510 St Antonin du Var

Château Roubine

The Templars owned Château Roubine before being ceded in 1307 to the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Recognized in 1955 as one of only 23 vineyards designated “Cru Classé.” The vineyard’s coat of arms reflects the history and location in the Var, with the dragon representing Draguignan and the lion from nearby Lorgues. The 130-hectare property changed hands many times before 1994 when Valérie Rousselle purchased Château Roubine and established the new direction.

Discover the vineyard’s 13 grape varieties on 72 hectares of vines on foot on the Sentier Vigneron. Follow the map along the self-guided walking route and read about the grape varietals on information panels along your way. Before or after your walk, sample the wines in the boutique and admire the ever-changing art display.

©Chateau Roubine

Château Roubine
4216 Route de Draguignan
83510 Lorgues
June 15 – Sept 15 open daily for wine tasting

Sainte Béatrice

Southern exposure and a hilly profile are only some of the ingredients for Sainte Beatrice’s delicious wines. Valérie Rousselle acquired the 50-hectare property from the Novaretti family, who established most of the vines some 30 years ago, although some plants are even older. The grape varietals representative of the Côtes de Provence includes Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cinsault for the reds and rosés, with Sémillon and Rolle for white wines. When it comes to winemaking at Sainte Béatrice, there are no shortcuts. Each grape variety is harvested and vinified separately before the blending occurs under the wine production team’s direction.

©Sainte Béatrice

Sainte Béatrice
491 Chemin des Peiroux
83510 Lorgues

Château Sainte Foy

Privately owned Château Sainte Foy is a 12-hectare vineyard in the heart of the Côte de Provence Terres de Rosé. Winemaker Sacha Lichine tends the vines producing a rosé that is a delicate blend of 36% Grenache, 23% Cinsault, 23% Syrah, 9% Cabernet and 9% Rolle.

Château Sainte Foy
4013 Route de Saint Antonin
83510 Lorgues

Domaine Des Aumèdes

This property is a family winemaking operation. The 4th generation is now involved in producing red, white and rosé wines that meet AOP Côtes de Provence standards. Stop by for wine tasting or to purchase some bottles.

Domaine des Aumèdes
297 Chemin des Pailles
83510 Lorgues

Domaine Estello

The current owner Mr. Philippe Rocchietta assumed ownership of the Domaine Estello in 2016, the year after the vineyard achieved organic certification by the Ecocert. He has subsequently invested in the wine cave and new technology. By handpicking his winemaking team, the goal is to produce exceptional wines on the 40-hectare property. Visit the wine boutique and cellar.

Domaine Estello
838 Chemin de Bélinarde
83510 Lorgues

Domaine Le Clos d’Alari

Le Domaine du Clos d’Alari is a 20-hectare agricultural property with grapevines, olive groves and black truffles. The wine label represents the terroir with three (3) leaves – grapevine, oak and olive. Nathalie Vancoillie and her mother began converting the property to an operating vineyard 30 years ago. With Nathalie Vancoillie at the helm since 1998 the Domaine du Clos d’Alari produces AOP Côtes de Provence white, red and rosé wines. Since 2018 the wines are certified organic.

Domaine Le Clos d’Alari
717 Route De Mappe
83510, Saint-Antonin-du-Var

©Domaine Le Clos d’Alari

Stay in the vineyard at Bastide du Clos d’Alari bed and breakfast in the heart of the wine estate. This 5-bedroom B&B is a perfect holiday location for families or anyone wanting to discover the local wines. There is the option of including gourmet dinners and pairings wines to your stay. Or enjoy a private tour of the wine estate and production facility. Read more here.

©Domaine Le Clos d’Alari

More Information for your Visit

Lorgues Terre de Vins (website)

Tourism Office
12 Rue du 8 Mai 1945
83510 Lorgues

Join Lorgues-based artist Tessa Baker for a Painting holiday in Provence.

Lorgues Coffee Roasters
La Grange Concept Store
Coffee, Teas, Homeware

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).