Not only one of the oldest vineyards in France, Chateau Roubine is also one of the only Cru Classé estates of Provence.
Connection to Provence runs deep in the philosophy at Chateau Roubine, not only by their historical link, but also in their organic practices that honour their unique terroir.
The property’s history dates to the 14th century, when the chateau was the property of the Knights Templar, before being transferred in 1307 to the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Ownership changed hands numerous times over the next few hundred years, before Valerie Rousselle took ownership in 1994, pivoting from a career in hospitality after she fell in love with the property.
This marked a new chapter in the chateau’s history, as she channelled her passion into the management of the estate, installing state-of-the-art facilities to reform it to its former glory. Valerie has been the President of the Women in Wine Association in France and was awarded by the French government for her work promoting women in business.
The estate is one of 18 vineyards that were recognised as a ‘Cru Classé’ of the Cotes de Provence by decree of the Ministry of Agriculture in 1955. In 2017, Chateau Roubine became certified organic, as part of their ongoing mission to adopt practices that honour the quality of their terroir and allow it to be expressed in their wines. The mixture of limestone and clay soils allow for natural drainage, where 13 grape varieties are planted with intentionally limited yields – the majority of these being very old vineyards. It is also one of only a few producers in the region using the lesser-known Tibouren variety in their top blends.