Chateau La Gordonne

The history of Château la Gordonne

Château la Gordonne sits enthroned in a cirque of schist that seduced the Romans as far back as the 1st century BC. Benefiting from a microclimate favorable to viticulture, they planted the first vines here.

In the 14th century, the Carthusian de la Verne family settled in Pierrefeu du Var and took over the winegrowing estate. Château la Gordonne was then called La Mayon d'Aurran. The Duc de Sully, Henry IV's superintendent of finance, was a regular visitor and praised the wines.

In the mid-17th century, the new owner of Château la Gordonne renamed the estate after himself: Conseiller de Gourdon. The estate was then divided between vineyards and olive groves, which produced a renowned oil. In 1652, Château la Gordonne took its definitive name.

In 1663, it was bought by Monsieur le Conseiller de Dedons, Seigneur de Pierrefeu. Château la Gordonne remained in the Dedons family until the eve of the French Revolution in 1789, when it was bought by the Bishopric of Toulon.

Château la Gordonne was completely restored in 1850. It continues to produce wine, today under the management of Vranken Estates Vineyards.

The Var bell

Château la Gordonne boasts a bronze bell that has been listed as a historic monument since January 11, 1982. Dated 1654, it is one of 174 Var bells dating from before the French Revolution that escaped destruction.

This bell is one of the region's curiosities. It is decorated with a row of rinceaux (arabesques with plant motifs) and a cross bearing the inscription "Iesus maria Joseph".

The Château la Gordonne vineyard

The Château la Gordonne vineyard is unique: it comprises 330 hectares in a single block. The vines are planted in an exceptional site, in the heart of a schist cirque, facing the Mediterranean Sea.

Its particular location creates a microclimate with dry, hot summers and mild winters. The vines are flooded with sunshine. They are battered by the mistral, which dries them out and protects them from humidity-related diseases.

The plain of the Château la Gordonne estate is made up of clay and limestone, while the slopes are composed of schist. The soil is stony, permeable and shallow. Being well-drained, it is low in humus.

The grape varieties grown are typical of Provence, including Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate uses organic farming methods and is certified HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale).

The wines of Château la Gordonne

- Château la Gordonne offers 4 rosé wines:

- La Chapelle Gordonne ;

- Vérité du Terroir;

- Summertime by La Gordonne;

- Cirque des Grives.