Road of wines from Ventoux

The giant of Provence : The Ventoux Mountain

Reaching 1912 m at its highest point, the Ventoux Mountain owes certainly its name to the Mistral, the violent wind which blows by squalls at this side of the Midi. It can reach 250 km/h at the highest point and is there present 130 days on average a year.

The " Giant of Provence " possesses an incomparable flora : cedars pines, oaks, spruces. The vineyard, the lavender, the truffle and the honey are the main resources of the region. The reserve of biosphere of the Ventoux Mountain was created in 1990.

Côtes du Ventoux, a vineyard until 400 m of height

Situated on foothills of the mountain, the vineyard of Ventoux extends in the South and on the West of the massif between 100 and 400 m of height. In this country, wine growing is a secular tradition enriched by seven centuries of membership of Comtat Venaissin: in the XVIIth century, the wines from Ventoux were recognized in Rome as the best of the papal states. The discovery of numerous vestiges, potteries and bronze cups dated from the Ist and the IVth centuries before JC bear witness to distant origins of the vineyard in this region.
Later, Pétrarque cultivated his vineyards in the Fontaine de Vaucluse.
Produced in 300 000 hl a year, Côtes du Ventoux divide up on 51 municipalities. In everything, 16 cooperative cellars and 69 particular cellars propose a whole variety of wines with numerous aromas and smells. The vineis traditional of the valley of the Rhône : 75 % of Grenache, basic vine of red and rosé wines. Syrah gives the colour and brings fruity notes. Red wines represent 80 % of the volume, rosé wines 15 %, the white ones staying in minority. Wines are fruity and light. Very drinkable, they drink rather young.

On the road of Côtes du Ventoux

Carpentras
The ancient capital of Comtat Venaissin, situated at feet of the Ventoux Mountain. The installation of an important Jewish community and the papal dominion left it numerous historic and artistic wealth, notably one of the most former synagogues of France.
Tourist office of Carpentras : 04 90 63 00 78

The Gorges of the Nesque
The road of the Nesque (D942) winds on 20km through the scrub and forests of oak and olive trees to run into magnificent gorges lined with immense cliffs.

The Country of Sault
Called the country of the Lavender, it is tinged with blue colour from the arrival of beautiful days. The ancient capital of the County, the municipality of Sault became the Mecca of this plant in the subtle essences. A holiday is dedicated to it every year on August 15th.
Tourist House of Sault : 04 90 64 01 21

Brantes
The very picturesque village, which overhangs the Toulourenc, has preserved its authenticity with its paved alleys, its former arched passages, its church (1684) and its castle. Beautiful panorama on the Ventoux.

Castle of Barroux
The fortified Castle, ancient medieval fortress reshaped in the Renaissance, belonged to the Protestants in 1563. Overhanging the village of Barroux, it offers a magnificent panorama on the plain of Comtat.
Tourist Office : 04 90 62 35 21

Exceptional houses

The Pesquié Castle
The big gardens with Provençal essences and plane trees lead to the bastide from the XVIIIth century and to the vault of tasting where are given music concerts in December and in summer. Exhibitions of painting.
Accommodation facilities 150 sat persons. Visit commented for groups on inquiry, in English. 84570 Mormoiron.
Tel. 04 90 61 94 08
Opened all days from 9 am till 12 am and from 2 pm till 6 pm. On Monday on appointment.

The Castle of Unang
Already mentioned in the IXth century, it's one of the most former castles in Vaucluse. Situated at feet of the Ventoux Mountain and restored in the XVIIIth century, it is consisted of a whole of buildings. A part of it proposes bed and breakfasts. Possibility of meal in summer on booking. Visit commented for groups on inquiry.
Route de Méthamis, Malemort du Comtat
Tel.: 04 90 69 91 37
Opened all days from 9 am till 12 am and from 2 pm till 6 pm

Days around Ventoux

- Festival of savours in Carpentras in the middle of August
Tasting and sale of products of the soil, intervention of brotherhoods.
Tel.: 04 90 61 68 13
- Market of wine in Carpentras from the middle of July to the middle of August, Every Friday
Tourist Office : 04 90 63 00 78
- Day of grape harvests in Apt at the beginning of October
Contact the Cellar « les Vins de Sylla »
- Day of Côtes du Ventoux at the end of July
Contact the Syndicate of Côtes du Ventoux : 04 90 60 55 17.
Tasting and sale, inauguration by wine growers' brotherhood of Côtes du Ventoux. Traditional groups.
More information :
Syndicate of Côtes du Ventoux
Château Durbesson Route de Velleron - 84 975 Carpentras Cedex
Tel. 04 90 60 55 17