Organic Provence château known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah red wines with long keeping potential.
The producer
Château Vignelaure is an organic château in the northeastern Var, with a red, white and rosé range. Cabernet Sauvignon is central to its history in Provence, joined in the red wines by Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan. The white wines use Roussanne, Rolle, also called Vermentino, and Sémillon planted higher in the vineyard. The flagship red has ageing potential between 15 and 20 years.
Known for
Cabernet Sauvignon in Provence
Notable facts
Georges Brunet established Château Vignelaure after owning Bordeaux third growth Château La Lagune.
Château Vignelaure is a pioneer of Cabernet Sauvignon planting in Provence.
The estate has converted to organic farming.
The flagship red is a recent vintage blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from old vines.
The story
Brunet Chooses Cabernet Sauvignon
In the 1960s, Georges Brunet, former owner of Bordeaux third growth Château La Lagune, established Château Vignelaure north of Aix-en-Provence. He brought a Bordeaux connection to Provence at a time when Cabernet Sauvignon was still an unconventional regional choice. Château Vignelaure became a pioneer of Cabernet Sauvignon planting in Provence, and the grape remains a defining vineyard choice at the estate. That planting decision still shapes the flagship red, which combines Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah from old vines. The property now produces white and rosé wines alongside its reds.
From the atlas
Château Vignelaure
An organic château in Provence where Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah shape a long lived red wine range.
At A Glance
Region
Provence
Main grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan, Roussanne, Rolle and Sémillon
Signature wine
Château Vignelaure red
Defining feature
Pioneer of Cabernet Sauvignon planting in Provence
The Producer
Georges Brunet, former owner of Bordeaux third growth Château La Lagune, established Château Vignelaure north of Aix-en-Provence. The estate became a pioneer of Cabernet Sauvignon planting in Provence, and Cabernet Sauvignon became a defining vineyard choice in its red wines.
Château Vignelaure is now owned by Swedish couple Bengt and Mette Sundstrom, who fell in love with the place while looking for a retirement home. The estate has converted to organic farming and produces red, white and rosé wines.
Place
The vines sit at over 400 meters above sea level among green hills in the northeastern Var department. Château Vignelaure lies 35 km from Aix-en-Provence. Roussanne, Rolle, also called Vermentino, and Sémillon are planted in a higher part of the vineyard for the white wines.
Wines
Château Vignelaure produces red, white and rosé wines. The flagship red is a Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah blend from old vines, with 50% of each grape in recent vintages. Earlier vintages lean toward a Bordeaux style, while more recent releases balance that style with Provençal character.
The red has strawberry, blackcurrant, blackberry and raspberry aromas with leather, earthy flavours and a hint of spice. The palate has present tannins, mature fruit and licorice on a long finish. The red has ageing potential between 15 and 20 years.
The wines ferment in stainless steel, then mature in oak for 12 to 24 months, with one third of the wood new, followed by at least 18 months in bottle. White wines use Roussanne, Rolle and Sémillon, while rosé completes the three colour range.
Final Word
Château Vignelaure joins Georges Brunet's Bordeaux history to an organic Provençal estate. Cabernet Sauvignon remains the defining red grape, joined by Syrah in the old vine flagship, while Roussanne, Rolle and Sémillon occupy the higher white plantings.