Côtes du Luberon

The Luberon Regional Park serves as a backdrop for the Côtes du Luberon wine region, which spans 36 municipalities, all located in the southeastern part of the Vaucluse department. Vine cultivation in the Luberon dates back to antiquity. The Romans planted vines primarily in the Pays d’Aigues region; then, during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, vineyards expanded significantly, particularly north of the Petit Luberon. The wine-growing region also expanded in the late 19th century and between the two world wars. Starting in the 1970s, winemakers in the Côtes du Luberon appellation , recognizing the need to modernize, undertook major improvements. Their efforts were crowned with success in 1988 when Côtes du Luberon wines were granted Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) status.

The local climate is Mediterranean in character, with the influence of a more continental climate coming from the Alps and the Rhône Valley. The vines enjoy approximately 2,600 hours of sunshine per year, placing the Côtes du Luberon vineyards among the regions of France with the highest levels of sunshine. This includes producers such as Tardieu-Laurent, Perrin & Fils, and Château de la Verrerie.

The production area for Côtes du Luberon wines covers approximately 2,500 hectares, with an annual production of over 97,000 hectoliters.The grape varieties used for reds and rosés are primarily Syrah and Grenache Noir (at least 60%), Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Cinsault (up to 20%); the appellation’s other grape varieties (Picpoul Noir, Counoise Noire, Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc, Pinot Noir) may make up the remainder of the blend. Côtes du Luberon white wines are made from Grenache Blanc, Ugni Blanc (limited to 50%), Clairette Blanche, Vermentino (or Rolle), Bourboulenc Blanc, and, to a lesser extent, Roussanne and Marsanne.