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. Today, Château Simone is an undisputed benchmark for 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 (like Château Henri Bonnaud), Château Simone prides itself on producing a noble yet affordable wine that has been named the greatest in the Mediterranean. Originally, this wine estate belonged to the clergy and the Grand Carmelites 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 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 carries on a tradition of artisanal winemaking. Without any complications or modern techniques, the winemakers harvest the grapes by hand. The process also includes fermentation using indigenous yeasts and meticulous temperature control. Château Simone wines are aged in small casks for 8 months, followed by one year in oak barrels of various ages. Château Simone wines are bottled unfiltered.

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

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.