GREAT VINEYARDS HAVE GREAT PEDIGREES

The vineyards of Bandol can boast a heritage stretching back to the 5th century BC. In 1941 Bandol became one of the first recognised appellations in France. The rich history of these wines is a reflection their exceptional quality.

In the 16th century, after the annexation of Provence, when the civilisations of the Oc and Oll languages were in conflict, the wines of Provence were underestimated and neglected, yet even in these troubled times, arbiters of excellence have never failed to mention the liquid glories of Bandol.

In the 18th century they were much appreciated and consumed daily by Louis XV. Their remarkable aptitude for travel and for ageing at sea enabled them to be exported over the long sea passage to the French West Indies where they were welcomed with certain duty free allowances.

At the same time, when the authorities were already opposing wine growing in order to encourage cereal crops, an exception was made for the wines of Bandol due to their quality.

When a deep water port was dug to facilitate the loading of ships, the wines of Bandol were exported as far afield as China and South America. By the mid 1800s, the annual production of the Bandol coopers had reached a high of 80 000 casks.