The vineyards

Over 750 acres of plains and hills are cultivated with vines (20% of the commune) at Ramatuelle. This traditional Provençal activity goes back to 600 B.C. when the Greeks planted the first vines in this region. It is now the second economic activity of the commune with a production of 40 000 hl/year partly exported.

Château des Marres

On the “Route des Plages” opposite the famous Bay of Pampelonne. This family estate combines authenticity and modernism. They produce red, white and rosé A.O.C. Côtes de Provence. The rosé and the white wine are made from noble varieties of grapes at a low temperature giving the wine a delicate subtle taste and a remarkable aroma.
The red wine is made in the traditional oak casks . Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Mouvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tibouren and Rolle are the main varieties of this vineyard.

Domaine des Bouis

The Domaine des Bouis is situated in the plain of Pampelonne. This traditional wine-making family has worked many generations to obtain the best varieties of grapes : Carignan, Syrah, Grenache, white Carignan, Rolle. The red wine is left to mature 10 months in casks. The rosé and white wine are left on the lees and matured in casks. A very special wine.

Château Volterra

Caressed by the gentle Mediterranean breeze, our vines, spread out into 6 ha, profite of a spectacular view. The cellers, hidden in the wine groves, benefits of an architecture that dates from the 19th century. Manuel prunning, Manuel harvest, under the light of the moon, witness of our engagement of a quality wine. Our red wines are rich and complexe wich is rare for wines of “côte de Provence”. Are white wines offer a flavour distinctive with a light tast of citrus, for a welcome fresher.

Domaine des Tournels

This vineyard has existed for several generations and is farmed by the BOLOGNA family. They produce red, white and rosé A.O.C. Côtes de Provence.
The rosés : the grapes are picked off from the bunch and are fermented at a low temperature giving the wine an elegant fruity taste.
The presence of Tibouren gives the wine a typical local flavour.
The rosés are made with black grapes : Grenache, Cinsault, Tibouren. The red wines are made with the varieties : Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon The white wines are made by direct pressing of white grapes : Rolle, Ugni blanc.

Domaine la Tourraque

Since 1805, our family cultivates this vineyard situated in the classified site of the three capes. In the heart of the Golfe of Saint-Tropez, we produced wines in A.O.C “Côtes de Provence”.
The proximity of the see favorably influence our 40ha of wines. We offer, in 3 colors, light and fruity wines, but also more structured, highed in barrels. Magnums, vintage wines and dérivates products are also available. Finally, we produce olive oil, and offer wine formulas.

Fondugues-Pradugues

The vineyard Fondugues-Pradugues products unique wines in red and rosé, in limited, numbered editions, exploring different grape varieties and creative assemblages. Near the mediterranean sea, in the peninsula of Saint-Tropez, it’s 14 hectares of vines lie in the heart of the plain of Ramatuelle, a protected site between the hills that surround it on all sides, just a few minutes from the village and the famous Pampelonne Beach. This biodiversity reserve is in constant interaction with its vines, constituting a natural balance for plants and animals.

La Sultanine

Located both in Ramatuelle and La Croix-Valmer, the vineyard La Sultanine is one of the smallest of Provence with its 4.5 ha. The wine cellar is located at the Sellettes and it’s at the scale of this vineyard.

The winemakers Christian Chauvet and Benjamin Courtin produce four cuvées in organic farming. The production can be discovered at the property with the cuvée “Bernardine” rosé (grape grenache, cinsault and tibouren) and red (syrah et grenache) and the cuvées N°1 : red (grenache) and white (sémillon and rolle) aged in oak barrels for 8 to 12 months.

Visits by appointment : call 06 09 02 17 43.

Le Mas de Pampelonne

Created in 1886 by Florentine Gal, the 15-hectare domain, was passed on in the course of the generations. Situated in border of the famous beach of Pampelonne, the vineyard is kept in integrated farm management, crashed on a sandy country producing every year a rosé in the intense aromas of citrus fruits. His (her, its) characteristics make an excellent wine have a rough time in the apéritif, which will also agree with Southern dishes. We propose you a sale in the cellar, where you can come to admire our domain as well as our production tools, without forgetting to taste our vintage wine all year round.

Le Château de Pampelonne

The origins of the castle goes back to the 17th century. The wine produced is a Côte de Provence A.O.C. The varieties are Tibouren, Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and Mouvèdre to which are added Rolle and Ugni.

Vignobles de Ramatuelle (wine cooperative)

70% of their production is rosé, 25% red and 5% white. Out of a general production of 13 000 hectolitres, the cellar makes 10 000 hl of AOP Côtes de Provence and 3 000 hl of local wine. The leading variety of grape is the Tibouren and the rest of the production is made of the vintage varieties : Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Merlot. Its creation in 1954 allowed to little owners to follow the technical moderns évolution with espacially a chain bottling and a vinification quality.

Hidden treasures

Dolmen of Briande

It is situated on the area of the Conservatoire of the Littoral. Start from the Escalet, and follow the coastal trail. At the douane’s house, ascend the valley on 500 meters (marked by arrows in wood).
Oscar RAPPAZ, archaeologist, discovered there in 1935 arrowheads, quartz pendants and serpentine beads. We do not know her capstone.

Paillas mill

This is one of the strong elements of the built heritage of Ramatuelle. Restaured in 2002, redone with a old mecanism only in wood, in working order and ready to grind grinding corn, it is at the top of the village of Ramatuelle, on the road that goes to Gassin, and where it overlooks the entire coast of Cavalaire in Saint-Tropez.

The douane’s house

Located at the foot of the Taillat peninsula, This strange building dating from the nineteenth century and recently restored, is owned by the Conservatoire du Littoral, which is responsible for the protection and monitoring of 3 caps classified: Lardier, Taillat and Camarat.
Next to it, on the small beach we can find a well.

Flora

Arbutus Tree (Arbutus unedo)

In autumn and winter it has pretty white belled-shaped flowers. The arbutus fruit are similar to little strawberries and take a whole year to ripe. The berries are edible but tasteless. The locals make jam and liqueur ( “la crème d’arbouse”) with the fruit. It is one of the rare trees that has flowers and fruit at the same time.

Wild Asparagus

Seems to have originated in the Mediterranean basin. Cultivated by the Romans, it was called Asparagus Officinalis until the Middle Ages but remained a luxury product, reserved for the King’s court. It grows in hidden corners. It is very delicate and can grow to a great height.

Euphorbia dendroides

This plant is toxic and produces a white liquid when the stem is broken. The best known euphorbia is the castor-oil plant, which is used as an emetic. It is used to control moles in the garden.

The Olive Tree

A sacred tree, the symbol of hope and a sign of divine clemency. Symbol of purity and of life, the olive is one of the staple foods of the people of the Mediterranean. In Ancient Greece, it stood for wisdom and immortality, because it is very hardy. Normally of a modest height (5 to 8 metres), it is distinguished by a trunk, often short and usually twisted. This tree is susceptible to the cold. Its long straight leaves are dark green on the top and silvery-grey underneath. Its yellowy-white flowers appear as little clusters in the axils of the leaves, leading to the egg-shaped fruit, olives, around 1.5 to 2 cm long. It is useful in the prevention of arteriosclerosis and heart diseases becase it lowers ‘bad’ cholesterol and increases the good.

Kidney vetch ( Anthylis barba-jovis)

This shrub produces magnificent downy silvery leaves. Its pale yellow flowers grow in clusters at the end of the branches. Hight : upto 3 meters. His pale yellow flowers regroup at the top of the branches. Protected species that is used to restore parts of the coast that have been spoilt.

Maritime Cineraria

Thanks to its silvery-grey leaves and, it is easily recognisable. It grows in rocky areas and loves sandy soil close to the sea.

Clematis Flammula

One of the hardiest of climbing plants, it covers large surfaces perfectly. It can easly grow to more that 8 metres high.

Smilax (Smilax Aspersa)

Originally from Central and South America. This plant has become famous thanks to the Smurfs : little blue men. A creeper with thorns and triangular heart-shaped leaves.

Tree Heather (Erica Arborea)

Has purple or pink flowers and reddish bark. Grows in siliceous soil forming heaths.

Cork Oak (Quercus suber)

Is a famous tree locally and grows naturally in the forests. Is more or less fire-proof. The cork is harvested in June and July : the first time a tree is corked, the cork called “male cork”, is of bad quality. Then every 13 to 17 years the “female cork” which is smooth can be removed and used to make bottle corks.

Holm Oak (Quercus ilex)

Grows naturally in warm and sunny spots. It does not like the cold. Its wood is used for making objects, cartwheels and carts, also used in cabinet making… It has small hard pointed dark green leaves all year round.

Lonicera implexa (Evergreen honeysuckle)

A sweet-smelling climbing plant of the honeysuckle family. Its evergreen leaves are tough and oval.

Mastic tree (Pistacia Lentiscus)

Has deep green leaves and a resinous smell. Its small white flowers grow in clusters and give little red berries that become black when ripe. Its resin is used to make a gum called Kios gum, used in dental care and for making chewing gum.

Mimosa

A plant of Australian origin, it is much appreciated for its beautiful winter flowers. It grows very quickly, and forms thick copses. It has adapted well to the soil of the area. It is considered an invasive species. It grows back very quickly after a fire, but unfortunately eradicates all other plants in the area.

Myrtle (Myrtus Communis)

In ancient Greece it was a symbol of Love and Glory and was used to make crowns (similar to laurel leaves crowns). Has oval and pointed leaves with a very marked central nervure. Small white or pink flowers in May or June, giving little blue berries that you can chew to freshen your breath.

Maritime Pine

It replaces the Alep pine on solicious soil. It can form a mixed forest with the green oak. It is used as housing framework. Unfortunately it often wastes away, having been attacked by the scale insect.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Grows in dry places. Has a pleasant smell and flowers all year.

Sea Lavender (Limonium minutum)

It is endemic (it is only found in this particular region) . It grows on siliceous rocks near the sea. It grows in salty soil and is a protected species, it is strictly forbidden to pick any.

Mediterranean buckthorn

The leaves of the buckthorn are evergreen and have a jagged stem. It has yellowy flowers as well as little clusters of berries which start red and turn black.