Distillery Tasting Room Enjoying the Flavours of Provence in the Alpilles

Last year, noted St-Rémy restaurateurs Julien and Émilie Martinat decided to embark on a new adventure. They sold their restaurant and started a distillery dedicated to the flavors of Provence. Their Distillerie des Alpilles (the Alpilles are a local mountain range) launched its first product in June, a thirst-quenching pastis with local flavours like thyme and verbena. It was a hit and won a silver medal at France’s prestigious Concours Agricole.

Photo credit ©Distillerie des Alpilles

My wife and I visited recently to see what has happened since we were last here, back when they were just getting started. What we found this time was impressive: three different types of pastis plus a wide range of spirits, all available in a friendly distillery tasting room.

So Many Flavours!

First, the pastis. Julien loves to mix flavors, a carryover from his time perfecting sauces in his restaurant’s kitchen. At the distillery, he creates a pastis for each season, like his winter Treize Desserts Pastis, splashed with warm fruit flavors to reflect the famous 13 desserts, traditionally served at Christmas in Provence.

Next, the fruit liqueurs. These are distilled spirits that are usually high in alcohol and sugar and served as after-dinner digestives. The Martinats have taken a different approach, with half the normal alcohol and far less sugar, allowing the wonderful flavors of Provençal fruit to shine through. Mixed with sparkling water, they make a refreshing aperitif. They can also be used as the base for a cocktail, or added to white wine or champagne to make a kir.

And there so many flavors! Pear, apricot, fig, peach, clementine, melon, and more. Provence is a rich agricultural area and the Martinats take full advantage, with over a pound of fruit going into each litre of liqueur.

Last but not least, the herb-based liqueurs. The Farigoule, a blend of thyme and savory, won a gold medal at the Concours Agricole. The Martinats also offer mint, verbena, and anisette.

Photo credit ©Distillerie des Alpilles

A Different Approach

The vivid flavors and lower alcohol are part of the distillery’s approach of producing spirits that are attractive to a wide audience. Liqueurs, for example, are normally so high in alcohol that they are usually only drunk as a digestive at the end of the meal. And they appeal mostly to men. If you mix one of Martinat’s liqueurs with sparkling water, by contrast, you have a refreshing aperitif with modest alcohol. Add to that the colorful labels that adorn their bottles and you can see how the Martinats are making their products appealing to both women and men.

Stop by the Tasting Room

The distillery is just outside of St-Rémy and its tasting room is open on weekdays from 9am to 5pm. It is set in a corner of the distillery, which makes it funky and fun. You can look around and see where everything is made—the big copper stills, the bottling machine, and all the rest. Sometimes you can even watch the distillery in action!

Photo credit ©Distillerie des Alpilles

Tastings are free and you can just drop in, though calling ahead is advised to make sure Émilie and Julien aren’t both away. You can buy anything you want at the tasting room, and the products are available in local wine shops and grocery stores like Intermarché.

In addition to the drop-in tastings, the Martinats offer three workshops: an initiation to pastis tasting, and initiation to liqueur tasting, and the opportunity to blend your own pastis. These range in length from 45 minutes to two hours and must be booked ahead of time. Pricing and further details are available on the distillery’s website.

Practical Information

Distillerie des Alpilles
991 bis route de la Massane
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Telehone: +33 (0)6 82 30 62 35
Email: distilleriedesalpilles@gmail.com
Website: https://distillerie-des-alpilles.com
Instagram: @distilleriedesalpilles
Facebook: distilleriedesalpilles

Image Credits
All images are from the Distillerie des Alpilles website and Facebook page

Full day Bandol & Cassis Discovery Wine Tour from Marseille

Begin your journey in the medieval village of Le Castellet, perched elegantly atop a wooded hill overlooking lush vineyards. Next, venture into the renowned Bandol wine region.

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Keith Van Sickle

Keith and Val Van Sickle made their first trip to Provence decades ago, and it was love at first sight. After that, they came back every year until 2008, when they began a part-time life there, splitting their time between Provence and California.

Over the years, they’ve travelled all over Provence, seeing sights both well-known and obscure. Their French friends have introduced them to favourite restaurants and wineries and picnic spots and taught them funny local expressions (not all for polite company).

Keith now shares this local knowledge in his new book, An Insider’s Guide to Provence. Packed with the Van Sickles’ favourite things to see and do, it’s a must-have for anyone travelling to this glorious corner of France.

Keith previously published two books about the couple's experiences in Provence. One Sip at a Time: Learning to Live in Provence, and Are We French Yet?, both are available from Amazon.

You can see all of Keith’s blog posts at Life in Provence.