Getting to Château Val d'Arenc is almost an adventure... Halfway between Le Plan du Castellet and Sainte-Anne d'Evenos, in the hollow of a valley, lies Château Val d'Arenc, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and cypress trees.
The name Val d'Arenc echoes the Latin word arena, meaning sand. Sand quarries still in use are located below the estate.
The 26-hectare vineyard is planted on several levels of restanques (Bandol's name for terraces) on clay-limestone and sandstone soils. While the scenery is dreamy, it's difficult to cultivate. The slope is very steep and erosion significant. Small stone walls hold back the soil...and the vines.
Val d'Arenc is planted with Mourvèdre, the king grape of the Bandol red appellation. The vines, on average 25 years old, cover a dozen hectares. Originally from Spain, Mourvèdre is grown here at its northernmost limit: so much the better, as it's in these conditions that grape varieties give their best. Relatively difficult to grow, it requires a lot of sunshine. But then it offers deep, rich aromas and an astonishing capacity for ageing.
The vineyard also boasts two other red grape varieties: 8 ha of Grenache and 4 ha of Cinsault. White grape varieties, clairette and sauvignon, share the remaining 2 ha.
WE LIKE
Bandol - AOC 2015 Rouge Silver medal at the Concours Général Agricole 2016
EQUIPMENT
Tasting cellar/capacity 100 people
Disabled access (including wc)
THE PLUS
Ecocert" organic farming.
Disabled access (including WC).
SOME PRICES...
Bandol rouge 20€/ Bandol blanc 17€/ Bandol rosé 14€.
ALCOHOL ABUSE IS DANGEROUS FOR YOUR HEALTH. CONSUME WITH REASON.
The 26-hectare vineyard is planted on several levels of restanques (Bandol's name for terraces) on clay-limestone and sandstone soils. While the scenery is dreamy, it's difficult to cultivate. The slope is very steep and erosion significant. Small stone walls hold back the soil...and the vines.
Val d'Arenc is planted with Mourvèdre, the king grape of the Bandol red appellation. The vines, on average 25 years old, cover a dozen hectares. Originally from Spain, Mourvèdre is grown here at its northernmost limit: so much the better, as it's in these conditions that grape varieties give their best. Relatively difficult to grow, it requires a lot of sunshine. But then it offers deep, rich aromas and an astonishing capacity for ageing.
The vineyard also boasts two other red grape varieties: 8 ha of Grenache and 4 ha of Cinsault. White grape varieties, clairette and sauvignon, share the remaining 2 ha.
WE LIKE
Bandol - AOC 2015 Rouge Silver medal at the Concours Général Agricole 2016
EQUIPMENT
Tasting cellar/capacity 100 people
Disabled access (including wc)
THE PLUS
Ecocert" organic farming.
Disabled access (including WC).
SOME PRICES...
Bandol rouge 20€/ Bandol blanc 17€/ Bandol rosé 14€.
ALCOHOL ABUSE IS DANGEROUS FOR YOUR HEALTH. CONSUME WITH REASON.
