Close your eyes and imagine.... nestled in the valley of the Montfort-sur-Argens hills near Vallon Sourn, in the Haut-Var commune of Val, an 18th century Tuscan-style farmhouse, completely restored in 2010 to become, once again, habitable. Out of nostalgia for farms of times past, a longing for large groups of friends breaking bread or, quite simply for the love of life, Jean-Louis and Céline Bouchard have created their paradise, complete with horses, mischievous little donkeys, a colony of geese (the estate’s respected guardians!), hens that give plentifully and useful sheep who keep the perimeters mowed. A contemporary creche… a place that takes the time to enjoy life. There is even a river running down the middle!

On the property, typical woods made up of oaks and pines are joined by a thousand olive trees, used to make a delightful olive oil and, above all, 35 hectares of vines which, using certified organic farming, produce subtle and generous wines. A rich terroir where Grenache, old Carignans, Ugni blanc, Syrah, Cabernet-Sauvignon and Vermentino flourish and where all harvesting is done by hand. The result of these components combined is award winning wines in three colors (red, white and rosé). Tasting the Estate’s pale-colored rosé at the first hint of summer, with its citrus fruit-tinged nose and slightly peppery yet sweet as a fresh peach palate, is a good initiation to discovering these wines.