WINERY
On the road leading to Saint-Tropez, along the avenue of tall sycamore trees, the Domaine du Bourrian estate comes into view. The powerful stone walls of the winery were erected 150 years ago, and from this time they have successfully produced traditional Provencal wines.
Over time, the buildings and outbuildings became dilapidated; the winery equipment became obsolete, and fell into disrepair. Beginning in 2015, the new owners embarked on a 3-year reconstruction of the buildings and production equipment so that the winery could revive its age-old traditions. During this process, the uniqueness of the old buildings and
antique equipment has been preserved, reflecting a contrast to the modern equipment now installed in the winery. Behind the doors of the central building can be found the old traditional oak barrels, illuminated with a new light. A 7.5m-high glass partition divides the space, melding together the past and the future of the old winery.
Modern grape cooling systems, stainless steel barrels and automatic thermoregulation systems help produce organic wines without the use of chemicals. High-quality grape varieties are used to create unique rosé, white and red wines from the Provence region. Each year, the
winery produces up to 250 thousand bottles of wine. They are stored under optimum conditions in metal tanks, wooden barrels, and bottles. As part of the renovation, interior spaces formerly housing old wooden barrels and concrete tanks were converted into event and tasting rooms. The wines can also be enjoyed outside, on the cozy terrace under the age-old sycamore trees.
On 75 hectares of the estate, the existing forests have remained untouched, and are home to wild boar, badgers, foxes and rabbits. Turtles and otters inhabit the banks of the property’s Tortoise Creek. In the nearby fields, pheasants still roam freely.
VINEYARD
Located at the western foot of the Gassin hill, on the peninsula of Saint-Tropez, the sun-drenched soil combined with the sea air gives the grapes a taste like no other.
24 hectares of vineyards are divided into Côtes de Provence and IGP. All plots comply with BIO certification and are cultivated without the use of pesticides and herbicides.
For Côtes de Provence, the following varieties are grown: Vermentino (also known as Rolle), Grenache noir, Cinsault, Syrah and Tibouren. The quantity and the quality of these grape varieties is strictly governed by the rules of the Côtes de Provence.
In the IGP section, the following varieties were planted: Vermentino, Viognier, Grenache noir, Cinsault, Tibouren, Merlot, and Mourvèdre.
The Vermentino grape yields white wines with a complex aroma, while the Viognier grape produces light white wines with a fruit aroma. The varieties Grenache noir, Cinsault, Syrah, and Tibouren are blended to create wines with a delicate flavour, in the classic tradition of Provence rosé wines. Syrah, Grenache noir, and Merlot Sauvignon are reserved for the production of full-bodied spicy red wines.