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. Vineyards have been cultivated in the Luberon since ancient times. The Romans planted them primarily in the Pays d'Aigues, and during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, vineyards expanded significantly, particularly north of the Petit Luberon. The vineyards also expanded in the late 19th century and between the two world wars. Starting in the 1970s, the winemakers of the Côtes du Luberon appellation , aware of 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, which places the Côtes du Luberon vineyards among the regions of France with the highest levels of sunshine. Thus, estates such as Tardieu-Laurent, Perrin & Fils, or 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 (minimum 60%), Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Cinsault (maximum 20%), with the appellation’s other varieties (Picpoul Noir, Counoise Noire, Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc, Pinot Noir) permitted to 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.