Château Simone

Château Simone is a magnificent estate in the Provence region. Located at the foot of Montagne Sainte-Victoire, Château Simone’s vineyard covers an area of 21 hectares withinthe Palette AOC, spread across the northern slopes of the wooded hills of Montaiguet, just a stone’s throw from Aix-en-Provence.

Château Simone has been owned by the Rougier family for nearly two centuries. Vineyard management here remains faithful to time-honored practices, without the use of chemical fertilizers or treatments that disrupt the ecological balance. The grapes are harvested by hand, and winemaking follows classic, traditional methods. Château Simone is today an undisputed benchmark of the Palette micro-appellation, renowned for the elegance and finesse of its wines.

In the sun-drenched region of Provence, the Rougier family produces red, white, and rosé wines made from Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Bourboulenc, and Viognier grapes.

With its 23 hectares of vineyards located in Meyreuil, just a few kilometers from Aix-en-Provence—the city of Cézanne—and facing the imposing Sainte-Victoire mountain range (like Château Henri Bonnaud), Château Simone prides itself on producing a noble yet affordable wine that has been named the finest in the Mediterranean. Originally, this vineyard belonged to the clergy and the Grand Carmes of Aix in the 16th century. A little later, in the 19th century, the estate produced white and red wines for the bourgeoisie of Aix.

Located in the north, sheltered from the sun, on the wooded slopes of the hills surrounding the charming town of Meyreuil, with its limestone soil, the estate holds the Palette AOC, a prestigious appellation that is the source of its prestige.

On its vineyards, which are over 110 years old, Château Simone upholds a tradition of artisanal winemaking. Without relying on complex processes or modern techniques, the winemakers harvest the grapes by hand. The process also includes fermentation using native yeasts and meticulous temperature control. Château Simone wines are aged in large oak casks for 8 months, followed by a year in oak barrels of various ages. Château Simone wine is bottled without filtration.

At Château Simone, red wine accounts for the majority of the vineyard’s production. The Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault grape varieties give it great depth and a lovely roundness on the palate. The rosés, which are extremely aromatic, reveal notes of red fruit with a delicious, almost tannic character.

With their floral, fruity, and woody notes, Château Simone white wines offer a refreshing taste. Over time, they develop a golden hue and can be cellared for several years.