Château Roubine : Valérie Rousselle voit la vie en rose

A strong business acumen and a steely determination. These qualities perfectly encapsulate the personality of Valérie Rousselle, a self-taught winemaker from Saint-Tropez who has been leading Château Roubine for over 20 years.

Available directly from the estate on Avenue des Vins.

Where do your roots come from?

A childhood between Provence and the sea

My childhood was spent between the hills of Provence and the Mediterranean Sea,

recounts Valérie.

Although Valérie describes herself as "a child of wine," she is more familiar with the tourism industry. Her father was the founder and manager of a large campsite in the region. Although Valérie grew up close to vineyards, she initially chose to steer her career toward the hospitality and tourism sectors.

How did you first discover Château Roubine?

Love at first sight

Valérie’s professional journey is as remarkable as her education. After studying at the prestigious universities of Oxford and the Hotel School of Lausanne, she joined the Barrière Group in Deauville and Cannes. She stumbled into the world of wine in 1994, almost by chance, when she discovered a property in Provence: Château Roubine.

It was love at first sight. So, when I learned it was for sale, I didn’t hesitate for a second. It wasn’t easy, but I succeeded, notably thanks to the support of my parents,

the winemaker remembers.

What does the estate look like today?

The "La Vie en Rose" cuvée that charmed Emmanuel Macron

When Valérie acquired Château Roubine, the vineyard covered 70 hectares. Today, it spans 140 hectares, with 90 hectares classified. A remarkable ascent for the winemaker, who learned her trade on the ground but also received training at the Suze-la-Rousse school and obtained a degree in oenology and Viticulture from the University of Wine.

Château Roubine produces 150,000 bottles annually. Valérie emphasizes quality crus, made from 13 native Provençal grape varieties. The range is broad, but the pursuit of quality remains constant, whether in whites, reds, or rosés.

Her greatest success? The "La Vie en Rose" cuvée, a gourmet rosé with aromas of vine flowers and English candy. As a fun fact, this wine celebrated Emmanuel Macron’s victory in the 2017 presidential election!

What are your other projects?

Château Sainte-Béatrice, a new string to her bow

For over 20 years, Valérie has chaired Les Éléonores de Provence, a charitable organization bringing together over "30 women of wine." Never short of ambition, the winemaker purchased Château Saint-Béatrice in 2016, a domain located in the commune of Lorgues, just a few kilometers from Château Roubine.

This acquisition will allow us to develop our export sales and expand our wine range,

explains the winemaker.

An active feminist, Valérie is also deeply involved in organizations supporting women, including Octobre Rose, a global communication campaign aimed at supporting women with breast cancer.

Discover the wines of Château Roubine directly from the estate, at the estate price, in a short supply chain on Avenue des Vins.

Frequently asked questions about Château Roubine

Where is Château Roubine located?

Château Roubine is a Provençal estate set a short drive from Lorgues. It is there that Valérie Rousselle bought a second property, Château Sainte-Béatrice, in 2016 to widen her range and reach export markets.

Who is Valérie Rousselle?

A self-taught winemaker born in Saint-Tropez, Valérie Rousselle came from the hospitality world before taking over Château Roubine in 1994. She has led the estate for more than twenty years and chairs Les Éléonores de Provence, a group of around thirty women of wine.

What is the estate's flagship cuvée?

La Vie en Rose remains the signature of Château Roubine. This generous rosé blends notes of vine flower with a hint of English candy. It was even poured to mark Emmanuel Macron's election in 2017.

Which grapes go into Château Roubine wines?

The range draws on thirteen native varieties from the Provence region. The estate makes around 150,000 bottles a year across whites, reds and rosés, keeping the same standard on all three colours.

How has the vineyard grown since 1994?

When Valérie Rousselle bought the estate in 1994, it covered 70 hectares. It now reaches 140, with 90 ranked as cru classé. She rounded out her hands-on experience with training at Suze-la-Rousse.