Wine tips: Château la Verrerie – A prehistoric site

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wine tips

In our regular wine tips article we head for South Luberon to check out a chateau with a very long history of winemaking.

The omens always seem to be good for some estates: this winery is located in Puget-sur-Durance, on the exact same site where prehistoric wine cellars, carved out of rock, and dating back more than 4,000 years, were uncovered. Before returning to wine-production, la Verrerie, as its name suggests, was a glass factory! However, it was not so much these harbingers of good fortune but rather the magnificent landscapes in this part of the Luberon massif that attracted the entrepreneur, Jean-Louis Descours – known for the shoe brand André – in 1981, propelling him to set up the estate. Thirty five years and two generations later, Château la Verrerie produces a wide range of organic wines and olive oils. Wine-tourism is a priority and the estate team is always coming up with new ideas to make visits even more interesting.

The wine cellar is open to the public from Monday to Sunday and offers free tasting sessions for individuals.  (contact us for information about fixed tour dates for assembled groups of Free Independent Travellers)

A marked vineyard trail that cuts across a landscape full of vineyards and olive groves. During the course of the walk, thanks to the bilingual (in French and English) signs, you’ll learn key facts about vines and different grape varieties as well as enjoying an unobstructed view of the Durance Valley.

A picnic style aperitif: individuals and groups can buy the necessary ingredients for their aperitif from the shop and then settle down under the parasols in the courtyard to enjoy a pre-dinner drink and sample the Provençal lifestyle. €20/pers.

Discovery tour: once a week in season, at fixed time/date, guided tour of ageing cellars and tasting session (five wines). Its lasts 1 hour and is free of charge. Booking necessary (on website or by phone).

Knowledge Tour: visit wine-making cellars + ageing cellars + tasting session. It lasts 1 hour/1.5 hours. Set dates and times available on website, booking necessary. FR/EN.

During the Summer ‘Flâneries au Crépuscule’ (Twilight Rambles) are held on four Wednesdays over the summer and include welcome drink, guided walk along vineyard trail, a night of music, food truck on site (everyone buys own food) and estate wines served with dinner. €15/pers.
www.chateau-la-verrerie.com