Château Vannières
French pronunciation guide
One of Bandol's most storied estates, farming 32 organic hectares of ancient vines to produce benchmark Mourvèdre-driven reds.
Château Vannières is a 32-hectare organic Bandol estate with five centuries of vine cultivation in Provence. The flagship Bandol Rouge is built on 95% Mourvèdre, aged 22 months in large French oak foudres with zero new oak. Vines range from 30 to 65 years old, producing yields well below the appellation maximum.
- 32 hectares of organically certified vineyard in AOC Bandol, Provence
- Vines aged 30 to 65 years old on south-facing clay-limestone slopes
- Flagship Bandol Rouge: 95% Mourvèdre, 5% Grenache
- 22 months aging in French oak foudres and older barrels; zero new oak used
- 30 to 35 days maceration with daily pigeage
- Yields 32 to 38 hl/ha, below Bandol's 40 hl/ha maximum
- Acquired by Lucien Boudot in 1956; opened to the public in 1961
History and Ownership
Vines have been cultivated at Château Vannières for five centuries, placing it among the longest-established estates in Bandol. Lucien Boudot acquired the domain in 1956, and it opened its doors to the public in 1961. The estate is centred on a reception room housed in a 16th-century building, a tangible link to its deep historical roots. Today, the domain is guided by Éric Boisseaux and Charles-Éric Boisseaux.
- Five centuries of vine cultivation on the estate
- Acquired by Lucien Boudot in 1956; opened to public in 1961
- Currently led by Éric Boisseaux and Charles-Éric Boisseaux
- Reception building dates to the 16th century
Terroir and Viticulture
The estate sits within AOC Bandol in Provence, where a Mediterranean climate moderated by Mistral winds shapes vine health and ripening. The 32 hectares of vineyards are planted on south-facing slopes in clay-limestone soils, a combination that suits Mourvèdre's need for warmth and good drainage. All farming is organic. Vine age ranges from 30 to 65 years, and yields are kept between 32 and 38 hl/ha, comfortably below the appellation ceiling of 40 hl/ha.
- Clay-limestone (argilo-calcaire) soils on south-facing slopes
- Mediterranean climate with Mistral winds
- Organic certification across all 32 hectares
- Yields of 32 to 38 hl/ha versus the 40 hl/ha Bandol maximum
Grapes and Wine Styles
Mourvèdre dominates the estate's red plantings, supported by Grenache and Cinsault. White varieties include Clairette and Bourboulenc, both well suited to the Mediterranean heat. Château Vannières produces red, rosé, and white wines across Bandol, Côtes de Provence, and Héritage cuvées. The flagship Bandol Rouge is blended from 95% Mourvèdre and 5% Grenache, a composition that reflects both the estate's character and Bandol's regulatory requirement for high Mourvèdre content in red wines.
- Red varieties: Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault
- White varieties: Clairette, Bourboulenc
- Flagship red is 95% Mourvèdre, 5% Grenache
- Produces Bandol, Côtes de Provence, and Héritage cuvées
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Open in the app →Winemaking
Château Vannières takes a deliberate, non-interventionist approach to ageing. Maceration runs for 30 to 35 days with daily pigeage, extracting structure and depth from the thick-skinned Mourvèdre. The wines are then aged for 22 months in large French oak foudres and older barrels, with no new oak used at any stage. This preserves the purity of fruit and the distinct mineral character of the clay-limestone terroir. The 2020 and 2019 Bandol Rouge each received 92-point ratings.
- 30 to 35 days maceration with daily pigeage
- 22 months in French oak foudres and older barrels
- Zero new oak used in ageing
- 2019 and 2020 Bandol Rouge both rated 92 points
The Bandol Rouge from Château Vannières shows dark fruit, garrigue, leather, and iron-like minerality from old-vine Mourvèdre. Extended maceration and long barrel ageing without new oak deliver firm, fine-grained tannins and a savoury, earthy backbone with good ageing potential.
- Château Vannières Bandol Rouge$35-50The flagship 95% Mourvèdre Bandol Rouge; 2019 and 2020 vintages both scored 92 points.Find →
- Château Vannières Bandol Rosé$25-35Estate rosé from organically farmed Bandol fruit; classic Provençal expression.Find →
- Château Vannières Bandol Blanc$25-40Clairette and Bourboulenc white from 30 to 65-year-old vines on clay-limestone soils.Find →
- Bandol AOC requires a minimum of 50% Mourvèdre in red wines; Château Vannières uses 95% in its flagship rouge
- Bandol rouge must be aged a minimum of 18 months; Vannières ages for 22 months in large foudres with zero new oak
- Organic certification across all 32 hectares; yields 32 to 38 hl/ha versus the 40 hl/ha appellation maximum
- Vines aged 30 to 65 years on clay-limestone, south-facing slopes under a Mediterranean climate with Mistral influence
- Estate history spans five centuries; acquired by Lucien Boudot in 1956, opened to public in 1961