The history of the domain

The legend of the centuries tells us the stories of those men who, by arms or malice, conquered countries.

In the pages of this great tumultuous history, one sometimes reads wonderful tales. Like that of Domaine de la Bégude, the thousand-year-old epic of this land which, one day, captured the hearts of the Roulleau family …

The Roulleau family, fifth family to own the wine estate since the Middle Ages, acquired Domaine de La Bégude in September 2022 and appointed Laurent Fortin as Managing Director.

From Margaux to Bandol, Laurent Fortin wishes to keep the same pioneering spirit, which dares to break the codes to offer his own vision of wine in the heart of this exceptional vineyard.

For a long time, La Bégude was a stopover on the road that led from Marseille to Toulon, a shelter for the night where you could find feasts, shelters and “beguda”, the drink in Provencal. In the XVIIth century, the travelers as well as the pilgrims going to the mountain Sainte Baume, sometimes came across Gaspard de Besse and his band, Robin Hoods of the hills, who took refuge during the day in the caves of the surroundings.

Located on the highest point of the Bandol appellation, at an altitude of 410 meters, more than 300 hectares of land lie in the shade of the mountain Sainte Baume, on the well named Cadière d’Azur, protecting in their garrigue ramparts, 30 hectares of vines divided into 55 plots. One of them, overlooking the sea,shelters a conservatory to the glory of Mourvèdre: the largest reservoir in the world of this cépage, which brings together more than 150 varieties. An openair museum.

The estate is an incomparable model of biodiversity in which flora and fauna cohabit in complete tranquillity, and where the vine finds its balance. The team at Domaine de La Bégude is working to expand the vineyard to 50 hectares in the next few years.

In order to protect this wild nature, the Domaine de La Bégude has banned all weedkillers, pesticides and chemical fertilisers since 1996. Located within 300 hectares of unspoiled nature, far from any non-organic cultivation practices, the property benefits from this invaluable opportunity.

From this magnificent terroir between the Mediterranean and the bluish rocks of the Provençal hinterland, flow wines with great aging potential, from organic farming, that don’t comply to fashion and artifice. Bathed in sea breeze and crowned with the Bandol appellation, the wines are aged in the old chapel de la Miséricorde of Conil from the 7th century, a vestige of the presence of the Abbey of Saint Victor on the domaine.

The Roulleau family, now guardian of this thirst-quenching stopover, takes the greatest care of the estate and its vineyard so that each of its vintages reflects the splendid beauty of this land and tells you its story.

Jardin domaine de la bégude Bandol

The legend of the centuries tells us the stories of those men who, by arms or malice, conquered countries.

In the pages of this great tumultuous history, one sometimes reads wonderful tales. Like that of Domaine de la Bégude, the thousand-year-old epic of this land which, one day, captured the hearts of the Roulleau family …

The Roulleau family, fifth family to own the wine estate since the Middle Ages, acquired Domaine de La Bégude in September 2022 and appointed Laurent Fortin as Managing Director.

From Margaux to Bandol, Laurent Fortin wishes to keep the same pioneering spirit, which dares to break the codes to offer his own vision of wine in the heart of this exceptional vineyard.

For a long time, La Bégude was a stopover on the road that led from Marseille to Toulon, a shelter for the night where you could find feasts, shelters and “beguda”, the drink in Provencal. In the XVIIth century, the travelers as well as the pilgrims going to the mountain Sainte Baume, sometimes came across Gaspard de Besse and his band, Robin Hoods of the hills, who took refuge during the day in the caves of the surroundings.

Located on the highest point of the Bandol appellation, at an altitude of 410 meters, more than 300 hectares of land lie in the shade of the mountain Sainte Baume, on the well named Cadière d’Azur, protecting in their garrigue ramparts, 30 hectares of vines divided into 55 plots. One of them, overlooking the sea,shelters a conservatory to the glory of Mourvèdre: the largest reservoir in the world of this cépage, which brings together more than 150 varieties. An openair museum.

chapelle vin de bandol domaine de la Bégude

The estate is an incomparable model of biodiversity in which flora and fauna cohabit in complete tranquillity, and where the vine finds its balance. The team at Domaine de La Bégude is working to expand the vineyard to 50 hectares in the next few years.

In order to protect this wild nature, the Domaine de La Bégude has banned all weedkillers, pesticides and chemical fertilisers since 1996. Located within 300 hectares of unspoiled nature, far from any non-organic cultivation practices, the property benefits from this invaluable opportunity.

From this magnificent terroir between the Mediterranean and the bluish rocks of the Provençal hinterland, flow wines with great aging potential, from organic farming, that don’t comply to fashion and artifice. Bathed in sea breeze and crowned with the Bandol appellation, the wines are aged in the old chapel de la Miséricorde of Conil from the 7th century, a vestige of the presence of the Abbey of Saint Victor on the domaine.

The Roulleau family, now guardian of this thirst-quenching stopover, takes the greatest care of the estate and its vineyard so that each of its vintages reflects the splendid beauty of this land and tells you its story.