The winery
Château Barbanau
A Provençal winery producing organic and biodynamic wines, situated on the heights of Roquefort-la-Bédoule between the calanques of Cassis and the Sainte-Baume massif.
- Provence (AOP Côtes de Provence e AOP Cassis) · Francia
- 5 products
The story
The first vines in the area date back to Roman times. In the 20th century the estate passed to local families; the castle was restored by Lucien Cerciello in the late 1980s. At the end of 2022 the property was relaunched by Romain and Barbara Tchénio, who renovated the vineyard and built a new partially underground cellar to showcase the estate’s historical and viticultural heritage.
Production philosophy
Low-intervention practices, respect for biodiversity and a biodynamic approach. The estate prioritizes natural soil management, spring sheep grazing, hedgerows and nectar-producing plants to promote ecosystem balance and to adapt the vineyard to climate change.
Terroir and vineyards
Situated at the westernmost edge of the Côtes de Provence appellation, on the Roquefort-la-Bédoule plateau between sea and hillside, the estate lies between the calanques of Cassis and the Sainte-Baume Natural Park, at elevations of approximately 360–400 metres above sea level.
Awards and recognition
Selection of the cuvée "Et Cae-Terra" by the Association Internationale des Rosés de Terroirs — April 2025; listed as a Biodyvin-certified estate for the commune of Roquefort-la-Bédoule.
Characteristics
- Grape varieties
- Rolle
- Ugni blanc
- Clairette
- Sémillon
- Marsanne
- Sauvignon
- Grenache
- Syrah
- Mourvèdre
- Cabernet
- Cinsault
- Bourboulenc
- Hectares
- 27.0
What makes it distinctive
- Estate entirely managed biodynamically.
- 27 hectares spread across the AOPs Côtes de Provence and Cassis.
- Panoramic location between Cassis and the Sainte-Baume massif.
- Cuvée "Et Cae-Terra" selected by AIRT.
- Low-impact agricultural practices: sheep grazing, hedgerows, and nectar-producing plants.
