2 places to listen to jazz in the vineyards

If summer is synonymous with relaxation, mountain hikes, or sunbathing on the beach, it’s also the perfect time for music and wine tasting. Here are two spots where you can enjoy jazz concerts amidst the vineyards:

1) Domaine de l’Olivette: “Jazz en Vignes”

Jean-Luc and Élisabeth Dumoutier, the owners of Domaine de l’Olivette, are passionate about wine, art, gastronomy, and music. If you’re vacationing near Bandol and stop by their estate, you might stumble upon a contemporary art exhibition or a concert. The Domaine de l’Olivette even hosts its own festival, “Jazz en Vignes,” now in its 7th year. This year’s festival will feature themes of "Boogie-woogie" and "Rhythm and Blues."

Schedule:

• Pierre-Yves PLAT Quartet: Swing, ragtime, and boogie-woogie. (July 20)
• Al Colpey Trio: Piano blues and boogie-woogie. (August 10)

Program:

• 8:30 PM: Wine tasting with apéritifs such as tapenades, anchovy spreads, and pizzas.
• 9:30 PM: Concert.

Price: €32 per person. Tickets available at Fnac and at the Domaine.

2) Château de Berne: “Pique-Nique Jazz”

If you love Provence and its rosés, head to Château de Berne. Enjoy their spa, taste the estate’s wines, and listen to jazz during the “Pique-Nique Jazz” days, organized from July 10 to August 14 in the heart of the Château de Berne vineyard.

Schedule:

• The Underskore Orckestra: July 10
• The Rat Pack Is Back: July 24
• The Swingstons: August 7
• Les Tontons Flingueurs: August 14

All concerts take place from 1 PM to 4 PM.

FAQ - Jazz in the vineyards

Where can you listen to jazz in the vineyards in Provence?

Two Provence estates offer jazz concerts right among the vines: Domaine de l'Olivette, near Bandol, with its "Jazz en Vignes" festival, and Château de Berne, with its "Pique-Nique Jazz" days. Both combine open-air music with a tasting of the estate's wines.

What is the "Jazz en Vignes" festival at Domaine de l'Olivette?

Hosted by Jean-Luc and Élisabeth Dumoutier in the heart of the Bandol vineyard, this festival features swing, ragtime and boogie-woogie concerts. The evening opens around 8:30 PM with a tasting of the estate's wines served with tapenades, anchovy spreads and pizzas, before the concert. Tickets are sold at Fnac and at the estate.

How do the "Pique-Nique Jazz" days at Château de Berne work?

At Château de Berne, in Provence, the jazz concerts take place in the afternoon, from 1 PM to 4 PM, in the heart of the vineyard. You can enjoy the spa, taste the estate's wines and hear several bands across the days scheduled between July and August. Reservations are made by phone.

Can you taste the estate's wines during these concerts?

Yes, tasting is part of the experience at both spots: an apéritif tasting before the concert at Domaine de l'Olivette, and a tasting of the estate's wines at Château de Berne. It is a chance to sample Provence cuvées where they are actually made.

Why buy these wines directly from the winemaker?

Buying direct from the winemaker means the estate price, with no middleman between the vine and the glass. You get better traceability and the freshness of cuvées shipped straight from the estate. It is also a way to support independent growers.