Rosé from Provence is a true art form.
At the heart
of Country from Aix-en-Provence,
Art and winemaking expertise intertwine to enhance landscapes of captivating beauty.
From contemporary sculptures at Château La Coste to sun-drenched vineyards at Mas de Cadenet, and the Michelin-starred restaurant at Château de la Gaude, each estate reveals itself like a life-size canvas. The rosés of Provence tell a story: that of a terroir that transports us to a a unique visual and gustatory journey, where grape varieties and works of art become one.
HIGHLIGHT 1
DREAMS OF CONTEMPORARY ART
A strange sculpture is reflected in the water… As if by magic, the spider crouching Louise Bourgeois stands upright in the middle of a lake, surrounded by vineyards.’AOP Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence.
We are at Château La Coste, just 30 minutes from Aix-en-Provence. A good start to a day themed around art in the heart of this Provençal region.
It is so pleasant to stroll between vineyards and forests, discovering giant works and sculptures in a breathtaking setting.
The sun is shining, of course… Its rays guide us through a journey rich in art and architectural feats: Frank Gehry, Tadao Ando, Alexander Calder…
Here, even the wine cellars are signed! By Jean Nouvel. The last exhibition pavilion, however, was designed by Oscar Niemeyer.
We've been strolling for almost two hours, following the winding paths through the heart of the vineyards. Yet there's no sign of fatigue: the typical scent of the garrigue, the vibrant green landscapes, the natural setting like a painting have made us lose all track of time.
In these 200 hectares where the grapes that give birth to a unique rosé wine are grown using organic farming methods, art, hospitality and natural beauty blend superbly and brilliantly.
Wine tourism is an integral part of our philosophy, which has been linked to art from the very beginning, along with the values of French generosity and conviviality. Our visitors are invited to take the time to sit on the terrace with a glass of Provençal wine and watch the butterflies go by!
An exceptional address in Puy Sainte Réparade
Plant-based cuisine’'Hélène Darroze at Villa La Coste' It is imbued with memories of her apprenticeship in the Provençal lands. It reflects her personality and draws inspiration from the vineyards of Château La Coste and its magnificent surroundings.
Art Center at Bonisson Castle
A visit worth the – small – detour
Not far from there, in Rognes, the Bonisson Estate It houses a veritable center for contemporary art. Bonisson Art Center offers artists a space to bring their projects to life, with regular free exhibitions.
highlight 2
THERE IS ART ON THE PLATE!
Subtle and authentic, the flavors flood the palate… it’s a stellar explosion.
It's 12:30 PM, and we've arrived at our second stop of the day: the chef's table. Matthieu Dupuis-Baumal, twenty minutes south of Château La Coste. This gourmet restaurant dazzles the eyes and delights the palate with its elaborate recipes and sublime pairings of its dishes with the world's finest rosé wines. Michelin-starred restaurant Le Art, at Château de la Gaude, It is the whole of Provence that is being honored.
In this large 18th-century Provençal house, art elevates spaces.
In the early afternoon, during a leisurely one-hour stroll exploring the Domaine, we learn that the historic building blends perfectly with contemporary art: in the 16 hectares of vineyards giving life to rosé wines AOP Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, the works of artists, such as monumental sculptures of Philippe Pasqua and the rock'n'roll paintings of Robert Combas have their place.
Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence AOP rosé wines
The vineyard of Wines of Provence enjoys a heritage and tradition spanning thousands of years.
The limestone soils of Aix-en-Provence region, The distinctly Mediterranean climate, tempered by the purifying gusts of the Mistral wind and exceptional sunshine, favorable to the development of healthy grapes, gives rise to the wines AOP Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence. Rosé wines meeting exceptional quality standards, whose reputation now extends beyond national borders…
HIGHLIGHT 3
A BIG BOWL OF ART…
Maud and Matthieu walk purposefully towards us, big smiles on their faces: “Welcome to Mas de Cadenet, Come on, let us show you around!“
We are in Trets, at the foot of the Sainte-Victoire… the beautiful muse stands proud and shines with a thousand lights, in this mild and breezy afternoon.
A thirty-minute drive along roads with green and typically Provençal panoramas was enough to reach our third and final stop of the day.
The history of Mas de Cadenet dates back to 1813. We are the 7th generation Négrel to cultivate this beautiful Provençal vineyard, and we are proud of it!
… AT THE HEAD HEAD WITH CEZANNE
A feeling of déjà vu washes over us, and for good reason: the Aix mountains inspired the great Impressionist. Paul Cezanne. She is the undisputed queen of nearly 80 of his paintings!
Naturally, we might say, this setting is simply sublime…
SUN, RELAXATION & A GLASS OF PROVENCE ROSÉ
Sitting on a deckchair in the shade, we enjoy a glass of wine Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire Terroir pink.
This Provençal wine is elegant, aromatic, and remarkably complex. Its pale color intrigues us, then fruity notes and a certain tangy freshness fill the palate. It's a delightful discovery: a subtle and delicate rosé wine, the perfect accompaniment to early summer aperitifs.
In conclusion
This marks the end of a day rich in artistic discoveries and wonderful encounters. We leave with a few bottles from the estates we visited, with the feeling of taking away a little piece of this wine-growing region and its people who love and preserve it with passion.
Art & Wine
From May to October
An event which invites visual artists, painters, sculptors, photographers, ceramists or street artists each year to install their works or to perform in cellars, wineries or in the middle of the vineyards that give birth to the wines of Provence.
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Discover the activities of the Aix-en-Provence region
