Domaine De La Laidiere

Between Mount Caume limestone and sandstone of Saint Anne, the land area of east while restanques small areas of south, south-east. Located on a ground-age sedimentary secondary (Cretaceous upper floor santonien), the soil at a sandy nature marl (Influence of the proximity of the site “Sandstone Sainte Anne), ie that it is balanced clay, limestone and silica, which is not the most common in Provence. The result is a compact ground less than in regions dominated clay, less rocky than in regions dominated limestone, well drained after heavy rains. Through this unique terroir and its exposure we obtain wines of a typical own. We decided, after various tests, using the rootstock 3309.

We made the choice from the beginning to cultivate the traditional varieties of the Mediterranean region perfectly suited to our soil and its exposure. Controlling yields obtained by both size short, a budding severe and a green or harvest effruitage. This will provide an average production of 35 hectolitres per hectare.

About the Winemakers

Freddy Estienne

A long history of winemaking for several generations among Estienne

The vine has always been grown on the terraces of the area. In 1941, Edouard who made party of the founders of the Appellation Bandol, and his son Jules, reconstructed the area by not replanting the noble varieties of Bandol. That year, selecting only the noble varieties in each parcel, the first harvest permit to obtain 600 litres of Bandol. The other varieties were vinified in table wines.

The area which had been acquired by our ancestor “Master Stamp” had only two and a half acres on which was planted vines but also Mediterranean cultures that allowed live products of the earth. There was also the culture of narcissus, a flower much appreciated by the English. Even then the Laidière exported to Britain. And our ancestors had built two oil mills and the last operated until 1956.

During the month of February 56 frost destroyed olive groves throughout the region. The work of oil mill has disappeared, it was decided to concentrate all production to wine Bandol. After stumps uprooted olive trees died, left based soil, began a long period in replanting vines.

The estate, under the impetus of Jules grew. It had an area of 12 hectares, then in 1970, Freddy, the son of Jules, arrived on the field. New land tenancy and acquisition in 1986 of a 7-hectare hillside above the area leads the area to 25 hectares. Freddy today, his daughter Anne and the entire staff produce on the Family, on average, 800 hectoliters of wine annually Bandol.

See other places in the Provence region.