Domaine de la Bégude

Bégude means “the place where strangers are welcomed” in old Provençal, and it certainly achieves that. Perched high above the rest of Bandol with sweeping views to the Mediterranean, the property can trace its history back to the seventh century, when the first cellars were constructed. They have been in use ever since. For centuries, La Bégude was a stopover on the path from Marseille to Toulon, for pilgrims en route to the montagne Sainte Baume. Here they found refuge for the night and could feast, shelter and partake of “beguda”, the Provençal drink.

Today's proprietors (since 2022), the Roulleau family, are the fifth family to own the wine estate since the Middle Ages, and they continue to preserve tradition while also instituting entirely organic viticulture and carefully renovating the exquisite property.

The labels are a beautiful sophisticated take on jazz-age typography, and the wines that carry them are the modern, clean and fruity face of today's Bandol. The rosé especially is one of the appellations best.

Visits highly recommended, but only by appointment.