Clos Cibonne

Clos Cibonne traces its origins to the 17th century. The Roux family purchased the estate in 1793 from Jean-Baptiste de Cibon, a captain of the royal marines under Louis XVI. André Roux modernized the property in the 1930s, planting it exclusively with Tibouren and later playing a central role in creating the Côtes de Provence AOC in 1973. The estate fell nearly dormant in the 1980s before Brigitte Roux and Claude Deforges revitalized it in 1993. Today, fifth-generation winemaker Olivier Deforges leads the estate, maintaining its family-operated character with minimal outside staff.

• Purchased by Roux family in 1793 from Jean-Baptiste de Cibon
• André Roux replanted the estate entirely with Tibouren in the 1930s
• Nearly defunct in the 1980s; revived in 1993 by Brigitte Roux and Claude Deforges
• Now managed by fifth-generation winemaker Olivier Deforges

The estate sits 800 meters from the Mediterranean Sea in the foothills of the Maures mountains, at an elevation of approximately 50 meters. Its bowl-shaped topography faces the sea and ensures constant air circulation from both the Mistral and easterly winds. Soils are a combination of schist and clay, providing excellent drainage. The Mediterranean climate brings roughly 27 inches of rain annually, concentrated in spring and autumn. Summer temperatures reach 95°F while winter lows can fall to 23-25°F.

• Located in Le Pradet, between Toulon and Hyères, 800 meters from the Mediterranean
• Bowl-shaped topography in the Maures mountain foothills ensures constant ventilation
• Schist and clay soils with excellent drainage
• Mistral and easterly winds moderate the Mediterranean climate

Tibouren is the defining grape of Clos Cibonne, planted across the majority of the estate's 15 hectares. The variety is believed to originate in Mesopotamia and was transported by Romans to Italy, where it is known as Rossese. André Roux's decision in the 1930s to plant exclusively with Tibouren set the estate apart from neighboring producers. Clos Cibonne received special AOC permission to list Tibouren on its labels, a distinction no other producer in the appellation enjoys. Other varieties grown include Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah.

• Tibouren believed to originate in Mesopotamia; known as Rossese in Italy
• Estate planted exclusively to Tibouren by André Roux in the 1930s
• Special AOC permission granted to name Tibouren on labels
• Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah also grown on the estate

Fermentation takes place in stainless steel, after which wines are transferred to century-old foudres for 12-18 months of aging under fleurette, a light film of yeast that protects the wine and adds complexity. This approach is rare in Provence and gives the wines their distinctive character and aging potential. The principal wines are Cuvée Tradition rosé and Cuvée Tradition Red, both composed of 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache. A Cuvée Spéciale des Vignettes is produced from vines over 60 years old, alongside a Cuvée Spéciale Tibouren in red. The estate has been certified organic since the 2019 vintage and produces around 100,000 bottles per year.

• Wines fermented in stainless steel and aged 12-18 months under fleurette in 100-120 year-old foudres
• Cuvée Tradition and Cuvée Tradition Red are 90% Tibouren, 10% Grenache
• Cuvée Spéciale des Vignettes comes from vines 60+ years old
• Certified organic since the 2019 vintage