I admit that Chateau La Martinette was discovered by us recently. It is a relatively new vineyard on the map, although founded in 1620. This place has gained a new cellar and new life since 2018. In 2011, a new owner took over here – Alexei Dmitriev (representative) with two very mysterious consortium partners. Kilometers of stone walls renovated with full respect for tradition on a 300ha estate. All is done with with flourish and attention to detail.

At Chateau Martinette we were welcomed by 42 hectares of vineyard. The estate is located in the Var department, in the charming town of Lorgues. The town itself is worth of seeing. Many activities to take: walking around the town center, visiting the shops or enjoing food in local restaurants. Additionally there are much more vineyards in the area to visit. Returning to Chateau la Martinette – the access is a bit complicated and best suited for a small duck Citroen 2CV or 4×4. We get back back straight from the new cellar, one by one – among the roses, through the vineyard, fields, by the castle, through the park and along the road through the moat.. The cool rainy day at early spring haven’t take any of the charm at all. Sounds like a fairy tale?

This fairy tale also has its own rules. Three different types of visits depending on your preferences are costs 12, 22 and 39 euros respectively. You can visit the cellar, take a look on interesting or not, favorite or not but for certain made of concrete – eggs. The Chateau encourage for tasting wine in appropriate conditions and taking on a trip throughout the vineyard. From the terrace there is an extraordinary, stunning and majestic view of the vineyard. Here, in this very place, the East of Europe meets the South – there is no doubt about it. I can already imagine wonderful parties that could happen in this place.

Here you can spend exceptional moments among the wonderful Provencal nature. Fine and helpful service awaits you here. This visit was a bull’s eye in our case. A smiling, sincere and extremely nice girl welcomed us with great commitment. The rosé wine, that she recommended, despite my already well-known lack of greater sympathy for rosé, turned out to be one of the best I have had the opportunity to try from a long time.

We are talking about a spring-like wine in the color of a delicate but healthy salmon. Reflets de Argen’s, AOP Cotes de Provence. Grape variety: Grenache 50%, Cinsaut 30%, Rolle 20% Pear, peach, tropical fruit, then notes of vanilla, delicately somewhere in the distance berries, spices. Long finish, not too bad at all!
I also recommend mixing it less formally with sparkling water.

The red that you can reach for here without hesitation is La Grande Piece 2015, AOP Cotes de Provence. Grape variety: Syrah 55%, Cabernet-Sauvignon 45%, Notes of blackberry, black currant, licorice. It is very good, although I would wait with opening the bottle. However let’s not forget the sage’s words, that states: “He who has wine should drink while he is alive, because not a drop will reach the other world” Cheers!