Cassis

Cassis wine was one of the first to receive the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) designation as early as 1936. The Cassis AOC is produced by 12 estates whose 196 hectares of vineyards are located exclusively within the municipality of Cassis.

The Cassis vineyards are sheltered from the mistral by the impressive heights of the surrounding hills. In this amphitheater-like setting, Cassis enjoys a microclimate ideal for growing high-quality grapes. The vineyards of Cassis are planted on three types of soil: shallow, eroded soils; rendzina-like and shallow brown soils; and brown soils developed on colluvial deposits. The approximately 200 hectares of the Cassis appellation yield an annual production of one million bottles of this precious nectar.

The Cassis grape harvest is done by hand. The grape varieties used for white wines are Ugni Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne, Doucillon (the local name for Bourboulenc), and Sauvignon. Cassis red and rosé wines are made from Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre. Château Barbanau offers a wonderful overview of these blends.