Domaines Ott

Marcel Ott, an agricultural engineer from Alsace, founded the domaine in 1896 with a mission to produce serious wine in Provence. He acquired Château de Selle in 1912, Clos Mireille in 1930, and Château Romassan followed in 1956, building an estate now totaling approximately 500 hectares, with 240 to 300 hectares under vine. In 1932, René Ott created the distinctive bottle shape inspired by ancient Greek amphorae, now patented and recognized globally. The house pioneered the direct press technique in the 1980s, producing lighter, fresher rosés that challenged the perception of Provençal wine. Louis Roederer acquired the domaine in 2004, and the partnership deepened the estate's commitment to quality. Organic certification was achieved from the 2022 harvest.

• Founded 1896 by Marcel Ott, agricultural engineer from Alsace
• Amphora-inspired bottle design created by René Ott in 1932, now patented
• Pioneered direct press technique in the 1980s for lighter, fresher rosé
• Acquired by Champagne Louis Roederer in 2004; organic certified from 2022

Each of the three Domaines Ott estates has a distinct terroir that shapes its wines. Château de Selle, situated above 150 meters elevation, sits on soils of gypsum, red clay, dolomite, sandstone, gravel, and limestone, sheltered from winter frosts. Clos Mireille, closest to the Mediterranean coast, grows on silica, clay, and schist soils and carries the influence of sea spray in its wines. Château Romassan, located in Bandol AOC, rests on limestone, sandstone, and marine marl, and benefits from the sea air of the Bay of Bandol. Rosé accounts for more than 80% of production at both Château Romassan and Clos Mireille.

• Château de Selle: gypsum, red clay, dolomite, and limestone at 150+ meters elevation
• Clos Mireille: silica, clay, and schist soils with direct maritime influence
• Château Romassan: limestone, sandstone, and marine marl within Bandol AOC
• Rosé exceeds 80% of production at Romassan and Clos Mireille

Domaines Ott grows Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon for its red and rosé wines, alongside Rolle, Sémillon, and Ugni Blanc for whites. The Mediterranean climate delivers mild winters, early springs, and warm, dry summers with abundant sunshine. All grapes are hand-harvested with strict selective sorting, and the domaine spends three times more time per hectare in the vineyards than the average regional competitor. No purchased grapes or must are ever used; all fruit comes exclusively from the estate's own vineyards. The domaine is included in the 1955 Provence wine classification.

• Grapes: Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rolle, Sémillon, Ugni Blanc
• Hand-harvested with selective sorting; no purchased grapes or must
• Spends 3x more vineyard time per hectare than regional average
• Included in the 1955 Provence wine classification

The Étoile cuvée, launched in 2019/2020, stands as one of the most expensive rosé wines in the world and represents the summit of the Domaines Ott range. By.Ott serves as the entry-level expression, offering broader accessibility while sharing the house's commitment to pale, dry rosé. Wine Enthusiast named Domaines Ott European Winery of the Year in 2022, the same year the estates achieved organic certification across all three domaines. The distinctive patented bottle remains one of the most recognized wine vessels globally, synonymous with serious Provençal rosé.

• Étoile prestige cuvée launched 2019/2020; among the world's most expensive rosés
• By.Ott is the accessible, entry-level tier of the range
• Named European Winery of the Year 2022 by Wine Enthusiast
• Patented bottle shape is one of the most recognized in the wine world