The Best Wineries in the Luberon: 5 of our favourite vinyards in the region
- rebeccacoulliais
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Vinyards are an integral part of the Luberon landscape, shaping both its scenery and its way of life. In recent years, the region's wine estates have undergone a quiet transformation, often following a change of ownership or the arrival of a new generation of winemakers. Alongside a definite trend towards organic practices, there is a renewed focus on quality and on the expression of each estate's unique personality.
This evolution sits perfectly within the larger ethos of the Luberon, where quality of life, craftsmanship and gastronomy are deeply important. Despite this shift towards more character-driven wines, the region remains refreshingly accessible, both in style and in price.
As you travel through the Luberon you will pass countless estates along the way. The five we've chosen here stand out for these simple reasons: we genuinely enjoy their wines, we're always struck by their passion for their industry, and they are beautiful places for an "experience" rather than a simple wine tasting. The each have very different identities, and are all easily reached from Villa Vauvert, making them a lovely addition to a stay in the Luberon.
Château de Mille, Apt
Château de Mille holds a unique place in the Luberon, as its oldest estate, dating back to Roman times. The chateau itself dates back to the Middle ages, when it served as a papal summer residence, and the buildings beautifully reflect the history of this domaine over the past centuries. The grounds are equally noteworthy, with troglodyte dwellings, ancient water features and a renaissance style rose garden.
The gardens can be visited independently, while guided visits of the historical buildings and wine making facilities are available by reservation. Wine tastings at Château de Mille are relaxed and welcoming-visitors are free to arrive without booking and will always be greeted by their super friendly and knowledgable team.
Organic, and also practicising biodynamic culture, Chateau de Mille offers much more than a simple wine tasting. Through out the summer, the estate hosts concerts and aperitif evenings with shared platters, and in winter they host one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the region.
Location: On the road (D3), between Apt and Bonnieux, approx. 5km from Apt
Wine Tastings: walk in welcome
Visits: Guided Tours by reservation
Facilities: wc available
Parking: available onsite
Easy combined with: a visit to Apt or a visit of Bonnieux
Château Constantin, Lourmarin
Château Constantin is family-run estate, just outside of Lourmarin, where the Bagnis family have been making wine with passion since taking over the domain in 2016. Tastings here are relaxed and welcoming, with no need to book, and are often conducted by one of the Bagnis family themselves, hands on in the wine making process. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and conversations around the wines are fascinating and informative.
The cellar itself is modest and rustic, rather than polished or high tech, which adds to the charm of the visit. Vineyards sit at a relatively low altitude and are largely south facing, producing generous, full bodied wines that offer an interesting contrast to some of the cooler sites elsewhere in the Luberon. The estate is certified organic, and certain vintages are matured in terracotta vats, a practice inspired by ancient Roman traditions.
Château Constantin hosts several events throughout the summer, from picnics to guided walks through the vineyards, and behind the scenes in the wine making facilities. It’s a vineyard that feels authentic and relaxed, and that affords a glimpse into real Provencal life. This a living estate, steeped in history, set in beautiful grounds- well worth a visit.
Location: On the road (D139), between Lourmarin and Lauris
Wine Tastings: walk in welcome
Visits: Guided Tours during organised events
Facilities: no
Parking: available onsite, but limited
Easy combined with: a visit of Lourmarin
Domaine les Davids, Viens
Although the vineyards at Domaine les Davids date back several centuries, the cellar and adjoining restaurant are a much more recent addition. The striking building is bold and unapologetically modern, a rare sight in Provence, and its clean lines stand in beautiful contrast to the rolling Luberon hills and the endless rows of vines that it looks upon. In fact, we reccomend a stroll through this beautiful, diverse domain. You can download an annotated map (only in French for the moment) from their website, or pick one up at the cellar door.
This is one of our favourite places for lunch in the region. It is still relatively unusual for french wine estates to also have a restaurant, and this one is particularly well done. The menu is deliberately limited, changing with the seasons as many of the ingredients come directly from the domain. The bread is also baked in the Davids bakery, and available for purchase. Meals are served outdoors on a sweeping terrace overlooking the vines, perfectly sheltered from the hot Provencal sun. Wine tastings are offered freely-either stand alone or before or after a meal. We recommend a wine tasting before your meal, so you can choose the perfect vintage to accompany your lunch.
The overall experience feels relaxed and indulgent, combining good food, good wine and a spectacular, hidden setting. This vineyard is hidden away, on the road to Simiane la Rotonde. It is a bit further away from Villa Vauvert than our other favourite wineries, so we usually combine lunch at this estate with a visit to the nearby village of Banon, home to its celebrated goats cheese and the famous bookshop Le Bleuet, making a particularly satisfying day out, blending food and local culture.
Location: On the road (D51), between Rustrel and Simiane-la-Rotonde
Wine Tastings: walk in welcome, also by reservation
Visits: Free walking tours of the estate
Facilities: Wc
Parking: available onsite
Easy combined with: a visit of Banon or Simiane la Rotonde, or a visit of the Valsaintes Abbey and Gardens in Simiane-la-Rotonde.
Le Mas des Infermières, Oppède
In clear contrast to historic estates such as Château de Mille, this is one of the Luberon’s newest vineyards, created by the famous director, Ridley Scott, who has long had a personal connection to the region. After years of sending his grapes to the local cooperative, he began producing his own wine in 2009, with the ambition of crafting wine that reflected his own love of Provence. At Mas des Infermières nothing is left to chance- from the perfect alignment of the barrels of aging wine to the hand drawn labels, every aesthetic detail has its importance.
The wines may be relatively young, but the setting and the visit deeply immersive. The architecture, though recently built, feels timeless, and every element has been carefully considered. All wine labels are hand drawn by Ridley Scott, designed to evoke feelings of health, happiness and beauty. Visiting feels less like a standard tasting and more like stepping into a film set. It is a feast for the eyes.
Different visits of the estate can be booked online. A classic one hour tour provides an excellent introduction, with a visit to the technical areas and the cellars, and a comprehensive wine tasting. The longer, 1.5 hour visit includes a short exploration into Ridley Scott’s cinematic world, including a viewing of different costumes and decor from iconic films such as Napoleon and Alien. The guided tours at Mas des Infermières offer a deeper and more technical insight into the wine making process, alongside a broader explanation of Scott’s cinematic universe. They also organise weekly outdoor screenings of some of Ridley Scott's most iconic films. Imagine rows of deck chairs lined up in front of a big scrren, a glass of wine in hand, watching the sunset over the vinyards as the Thelma and Louise leaps to life....
Location: Just of the D2, between Menerbes and Oppède
Wine Tastings: walk in welcome
Visits: Book ahead and pay online
Facilities: Wc
Parking: available onsite
Easy combined with: a visit of Oppède le Vieux or Mennèrbes, or another of our favourite wineries, la Citadelle.
Château la Canorgue, Bonnieux
Château la Conorgue is a family-run estate, owned by the Margen family for 5 generations, and one of the pioneers of organic winemaking in the Luberon. The domain has been working organically for over 40 years, with elements of biodynamic practice, long before it became fashionable.
The grounds themselves gained international attention when Ridley Scott set his film, A Good Year, here. Rather than embracing the spotlight, Château la Canorgue has remained deliberately low key. The family is wary of large group visits and organised tours, preferring to keep things simple and authentic. There are no formal guided visits, and English is spoken modestly, but visitors are welcome to arrive without booking for a tasting, exactly as you might imagine at a small French cellar.
The grounds themselves are absolutely beautiful, inviting you to wander and take in the setting before, or after, your tasting. The wines are well regarded in the region, and feature on many restaurant wine lists, particularly the white wines. A visit here feels calm, genuine and understated. A visit to Château la Canorgue can easily be combined with a visit to Bonnieux, or the Pont Julien.
Location: Just of the route du Pont Julien, between the Pont Julien and Bonnieux
Wine Tastings: walk in welcome
Visits: no formal visits, but you can tour the gardens
Facilities: no
Parking: available onsite
Easy combined with: a visit of the Roman bridge, the Pont Julien, or of the perched village of Bonnieux
GUIDED WINE TOURS
For those who would like to explore several estates in one day, we also offer curated
wine tours through Les Collections Vauvert, visiting a selection of Luberon wineries at a relaxed pace.
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