Luberon

The Luberon Regional Park is the setting for the Luberon vineyards, which extend over 36 communes in the south-east of the Vaucluse region. Vines have been planted in the Luberon since ancient times. The Romans planted them mainly in the Pays d'Aigues region, then in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, vineyards spread widely, particularly to the north of the Petit Lubéron. Vineyards also expanded at the end of the 19th century and between the wars. From the 1970s onwards, the winegrowers of the Luberon appellation, aware of the need to modernize, undertook major renovations. Their efforts were crowned with success in 1988, when Côtes du Luberon wines were awarded the appellation d'origine contrôlée.

The local climate is Mediterranean, influenced by a more continental climate from the Alps and the Rhône Valley. Vines benefit from around 2,600 hours of sunshine a year, making the Luberon one of France's sunniest regions.

Luberon wines are produced on a surface area of around 2,500 hectares, with an annual output of over 97,000 hectolitres. The grape varieties used for reds and rosés are mainly Syrah and Grenache noir (60% minimum), Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault (20% maximum), with the other grape varieties of the appellation (Picpoul noir, Counoise noire, Gamay noir à jus blanc, Pinot noir) making up the remainder. White Luberon wines are made with Grenache blanc, Ugni blanc (limited to 50%), Clairette blanche, Vermentino (or Rolle), Bourboulenc blanc, and to a lesser extent Roussanne and Marsanne.