Domaine de Fontenille

Discover Domaine de Fontenille, situated in the heart of Provence, overlooking the Durance Plain on the southern slopes of Luberon, surrounded by the most beautiful villages in France, Lourmarin, Ansouis, Bonnieux and Gordes.

Domaine de Fontenille is among the few provincial proprieties that have retained their original appearance. Bordered by the Luberon foothills and mountains and the Montagne Sainte Victoire, this country house, characterized by its classical architecture, lies within its landscaped grounds protected by cedars and plane trees, surrounded by wild landscapes and vines as far as the eye can see.

Built between the late 16th and early 17th century, the Fontenille country house appeared on the cadastral plan in 1638 with 12 hectares of vines. The property gradually expanded to reach 35 hectares in 1748. 

Stronghold of the Savornin family from 1640, Alphonse de Savornin added a manor house to the existing buildings in 1850. The main entrance, ornamental lake as well as the main trees in the park date from this period. His granddaughter, Amélie, continued to develop the park. She was Fontenille's last occupant before the war.

Laurence Berlemont, oenologist, agronomist and a specialist in Provence wines, began restructuring the Domaine in 2013. Today the vineyard is converted to organic farming. A new winery has been built to offer modern tools and the possibility to work by gravity in order to produce great wines in Luberon. The Domaine's production is split between red wines (35%), white wines (15%) and rosés (50%). The Domaine's 2015 rosé wine, 1st cuvée orchestrated by Laurence Berlemont, has already received several medals.  

The Domaine de Fontenille enjoys exceptional terroir. The vines draw their strength from the clay, limestone and stony soil and the slightly steep slopes provide perfect sunshine and better water drainage. The Provence Mistral naturally cleans the grape. The vine is tended so as to minimize treatments and ensures that the grapes obtain the best possible maturity while respecting natural cycles. Different types of vinification are being promoted thanks to the optimization of interior space: rounded concrete tanks placed in a semicircle, rows of stainless steel tanks immersed in wooden barrel cellars.

Domaine de Fontenille also offers luxury accommodation for visiting guests.

The wine tasting shop opens onto Fontenille's vineyards and cedars. It presents the highlights of grape growing and winemaking and offers Tasting and Oenology Courses.

Wine lovers can enjoy wine tastings in the cellar with the Cellar Master, private dinners, and participate in wine courses and conferences about the contemporary art exhibitions, terroir and truffle discovery.