Cassis

Cassis wine was one of the first to receive the appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) designation in 1936. The Cassis AOC is produced by 12 estates whose 196 hectares of vineyards are located exclusively in the commune of Cassis.

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

The Cassis wines are harvested 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 use Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre. Château Barbanau offers a wonderful overview of these blends.