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Wine tourism: in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, discovering a confidential vineyard

2020-11-07T07:17:47.977Z


From the gates of Luberon to the Gorges du Verdon, the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department cultivates a secret and endearing vineyard. Travel on both sides of the Durance.


The surroundings of Manosque, so dear to Jean Giono, are carpeted with some 450 hectares of vines that blaze in the first days of autumn.

In this low mountain vineyard with limestone soils, cool nights preserve the acidity of the berries.

Aging reds, gastronomic rosés and opulent white wines, classified as AOP Pierrevert and LGP Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, are produced by a handful of passionate winegrowers.

If the development of wine tourism is in its infancy (a vast co-development project with Italy is underway), wine lovers will be seduced by the warm welcome they receive in the local cellars and the extreme diversity of local products.

Read also: Wine tourism: the most beautiful vineyards to explore around Aix-en-Provence

Taste the wines of Domaine La Blaque

La Blaque is 55 hectares of vines straddling the towns of Montfuron and Pierrevert.

Press photo / La Blaque

For 25 years, the couple of oenologists Laurence and Gilles Delsuc, cultivate 55 hectares of vines in the communes of Montfuron and Pierrevert, on the foothills of the Luberon.

Converted to organic farming since 2011, Domaine La Blaque specializes in long aging red wines in AOP Pierrevert.

Some of its vintages can display up to 20 years on the clock.

A wide range of wines in the 3 colors is offered for tasting in the small shop attached to the production tool.

XXL bottles and early red wine - marketed in the fall - are also part of the selection.

On request: visit of the aging cellar.

We fell in love with Viognier 2019 (IGP Méditerranée), a round white with apricot notes sold at € 9.60.

A nice surprise on this wine estate renowned for its reds!

Cellar open every day except Sunday (9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.).

Domaine La Blaque, route de la Bastide 04860 Pierrevert.

Phone.

: 04 92 72 39 71.

Feast on Christophe's cheeses

Here, a very sharp selection of cheeses with, for example, Banon, a goat cheese matured in a chestnut leaf.

Romy Ducoulombier

The adorable village of Pierrevert, capital of the PDO which bears its name, is home to a cheese factory that attracts cheese lovers from all over the department!

Christophe composes platters to take away but also to consume on the spot.

On its stalls: a sharp selection of local cheeses, such as Banon, very distinctive, made from raw goat's milk and matured in its chestnut leaf.

At its side, there are also some cheese specialties from Savoy, artisan charcuterie, butter, terrines and local wines.

With the Banon, Christophe will recommend a glass of Auguste Bastide, a white from the Cave des Vignerons de Pierrevert, Petra Viridis.

Take away aperitif platter, from € 6 per person.

€ 4 a glass of wine.

Christophe's cheese dairy, 20, rue de la Frache 04860 Pierrevert.

Phone.

: 06 28 49 27 91

Sleep in an old sheepfold

Each of the two sheepfolds has its private swimming pool.

Romy Ducoulombier

You will have to drive a little further north of Manosque, in the direction of Sisteron, to reach the very last vineyard in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

A Roman road, wedged between the villages of Montfort and Châteauneuf-Val-Saint-Donat, which will take you across 4 Roman bridges, serves the Domaine des Bergeries de Haute-Provence, perched at an altitude of 580 meters.

In 2017, Éloïse and her husband Jean-Luc rolled up their sleeves to plant 6 hectares of vines.

And this year, they are proud to develop their first organic vintage in the 3 colors!

The view over the Durance Valley and the Penitents des Mées is breathtaking.

Two restored sheepfolds can accommodate 2 and 4 people respectively.

In a chic style, each has its equipped kitchen and private swimming pool.

A peaceful, tasteful stopover, which will soon be completed by a visit to the cellars and tasting of the estate's wines.

2 nights minimum, from 300 € per night for the little sheepfold.

Domaine des Bergeries de Haute-Provence-Saint-Jean, 04200 Châteauneuf-Val-Saint-Donat.

Phone.

: 04 92 61 50 10.

Visit the cellar of the romantic Château Saint Jean

The Saint Jean vineyard was created in 1880. François-Xavier Emery

Return to the surroundings of Manosque for a visit to the D'Herbès family.

Jean-Guillaume, from the fifth generation in charge of the 40 hectare vineyard in conversion to biodynamics, has done a titanic job to put this wine property back afloat.

Backed by a noble 19th century residence, the cellar is open to visitors.

Very dynamic, the young winegrower organizes discovery walks, stargazing nights and hosts a wine club in fine weather.

Château Saint Jean, 04100 Manosque.

Phone.

: 04 92 72 50 20.

In search of the black diamond with the Barbe family

We head for the family truffle in the company of dogs trained in the search for black diamonds.

Francois-Xavier Emery

Passionate truffle growers, the Barbe Family has a shop well stocked with truffle products (pâtés, butters, verrines and accessories) from which they organize expeditions in search of Villedieu black truffles.

In small groups of no more than 15 people, head for the family truffle farm in the town of Valensole.

There, the dogs trained in search of the "black diamond" are active!

This digging demonstration is offered from mid-November to the end of February.

Continuation of the workshop: a tasting in the shop, the possibility of buying the fresh truffles of the day or of feasting on a scramble, prepared by reservation for groups.

Open every Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Cavage: € 9 per person.

Chemin du Thor "les Garidelles" 04100 Manosque.

Phone.

: 06 50 87 21 77.

And also…

Do not miss the lovely wines produced by the Emery family at Château Rousset.

Reception at the cellar every day except Sunday.

More information

https://en.durance-luberon-verdon.com/

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2020-11-07

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