SCA CHATEAU DE MAUVANNE

Château de Mauvanne, located in Hyères near the Mediterranean Sea, is a Cru Classé of Provence. A beautiful terroir, the finest Mediterranean grape varieties, a long and rich history, a modern cellar, and a dynamic team make Château de Mauvanne a renowned reference among the vineyards of Hyères.

In 1934, Château de Mauvanne was acquired by one of the great figures of French cinema, Simone Berriau. After the war, this talented actress also proved to be a visionary theatre director, becoming the first to offer a stage to a certain Jean-Paul Sartre. Thanks to her, Mauvanne can boast an impressive guest book including prestigious visitors such as Charlie Chaplin, Louis Jouvet, Colette, and Cécile Sorel.

Since 1999, the château has belonged to the Rahal family. Lebanese winegrower and owner of the Cave Kouroum estate, Bassim Rahal fell under the spell of Mauvanne during a visit to Provence and decided to acquire the property. Through the modernization of production facilities, combined with passion and dedication, the estate has gradually regained its former glory.

Today, Bassim Rahal’s heirs proudly continue their father’s work with the same pursuit of excellence, producing wines worthy of their Cru Classé status obtained in 1955.

The estate covers a total area of 43 hectares, of which 38 hectares are planted under the Côtes de Provence Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), while the remaining 5 hectares are classified under Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).

The vineyard benefits from a unique geographical setting with gravelly and sandy schist soils, influenced by its proximity to the nearby salt marshes. The Mediterranean climate is particularly well-suited to vine cultivation. In addition, the Mistral, a cold and dry wind from the northwest, helps protect the vines by limiting humidity and reducing the risk of disease.

Château de Mauvanne is currently in the process of obtaining the High Environmental Value (HVE) certification and cultivates its vineyards according to the principles of sustainable agriculture, reinforcing its commitment to environmental preservation and the production of high-quality wines.

The vineyard of Château de Mauvanne features a rich diversity of grape varieties. With the exception of a few recently replanted plots, the average age of the vines is over twenty years.

For red and rosé wines, the main grape varieties are Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, and Tibouren, complemented by Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon.
For white wines, the estate cultivates Rolle (Vermentino), Ugni Blanc, and Clairette.

The estate received its major recognition in 1955, when the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO) selected 23 estates distinguished by noble grape varieties and high-quality winemaking techniques, awarding them the exceptional title of Cru Classé. Today, only 18 of these estates remain, continuing to preserve their traditions and expertise.

In the heart of the Var coastline, where sunlight blends with the breath of the sea, Château de Mauvanne crafts wines that embody the timeless elegance of Provence. Classified as a Cru Classé since 1955, the estate cultivates a rare know-how shaped by the Mediterranean climate, the rigour of the Mistral wind, and the generosity of a sun-drenched terroir.

Rosés — 80% of production: the signature of the estate

Fine, luminous, and chiselled like a summer morning, Mauvanne’s rosé wines express all the delicacy of Provence. Their pale colour recalls almond petals, while aromas of fresh fruit, citrus, and white flowers unfold on the palate with crystalline purity. These are wines of light, conviviality, and shared moments.

Reds — 15% of production: Mediterranean depth

The estate’s red wines reveal another side of Mauvanne: warm earth, undergrowth, and gentle spices. Generous yet elegant, they combine the roundness of black fruit with refined tannins, creating structured and harmonious wines deeply rooted in their terroir.

Whites — 5% of production: rare elegance

Produced in small quantities, the white wines of Château de Mauvanne are true gems. Their saline freshness, accompanied by notes of acacia flowers and white-fleshed fruit, reflects the proximity of the sea and the purity of the soils. These wines are rare, luminous, and remarkably refined.