Château de Berne

Château de Berne, organic Côtes de Provence from the Var's highest vineyard: age-worthy rosés, whites and reds. Direct from the estate... Lire plus

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Château de Berne: an exceptional organic wine estate in AOC Côtes de Provence

Located in Lorgues, at the heart of the Haut-Var, on the route de Salernes, Château de Berne is one of the most iconic wine estates in Provence. Surrounded by unspoilt nature, this vineyard spans 175 hectares of vines within a natural environment of over 350 hectares of forest.

In this preserved Mediterranean terroir, Château de Berne crafts gastronomic Provence wines celebrated for their freshness, finesse and aromatic complexity. Renowned for its refined Provence rosés, the estate also produces aromatic whites and structured reds, revealing the full depth of the AOC Côtes de Provence appellation. Since February 2021, the entire vineyard has been certified Organic Agriculture.

A history rooted in ancient Rome, elevated by a modern vision

The history of Château de Berne is as rich as its terroir. As early as 200 BC, the estate stood on the Via Aurelia, the great Roman road linking Italy to Spain, which already facilitated the transport of wine across Provence. Wine has been produced here since Antiquity, a continuity that can be read in every clay-limestone parcel of the plateau.

In the Middle Ages, Count Raymond V of Toulouse gave the estate to Saint Bernard, founder of the Cistercian Order, who developed the vines and made the land flourish. The current château, built in the 18th century, still carries the mark of this long winemaking memory.

In 2007, Mark Dixon, a British entrepreneur and passionate admirer of Provence, acquired the estate and began an ambitious transformation: a world-class vineyard, a 5-star Relais & Châteaux hotel, a gastronomic restaurant and a comprehensive vision of the Provençal art of living. Under his impetus, Château de Berne has become one of the defining references for wine tourism in Provence, without ever betraying the identity of the place.

A major wine estate at the heart of the Haut-Var

This exceptional natural setting protects the vineyard parcels, promotes biodiversity and maintains the ecological balance of the estate. The surrounding 350 hectares of forest play an essential role in the vineyard's health and contribute directly to grape quality, a symbiosis between wild nature and precision viticulture rarely found in Provence.

The estate's philosophy

Through its unique altitude terroir, organic viticulture and innovative winemaking approach, Château de Berne embodies the balance between Provençal tradition and oenological modernity, wines that are fresh, precise and deeply rooted in their terroir.

175
hectares of vines
 A vineyard of rare scale in Provence, surrounded by over 350 hectares of preserved forest, a natural sanctuary that protects every parcel and ensures the estate's ecological balance.
300 m
altitude
 A Triassic plateau rising to 300 metres, resting on Jurassic limestone bedrock: one of the highest vineyard positions in Provence, delivering unique aromatic freshness and finesse.
2021
organic certified
 Full Organic Agriculture certification across the entire vineyard since February 2021. No synthetic chemical products, careful soil management and sustainable use of natural resources.
5
ranges
 Terres de Berne, Berne Inspiration, Grande Cuvée, Esprit Méditerranée and Berne Romance: five expressions of the Haut-Var terroir, from the accessible to the prestige, all under the direction of winemaker Alexis Cornu.

A rare altitude terroir in the Provençal vineyard

The Château de Berne vineyard sits on a particularly remarkable terroir for Provence. The estate rests on a Triassic plateau reaching approximately 300 metres above sea level, itself positioned on a limestone bedrock dating from the Middle Jurassic. This altitude provides a decisive advantage: cooler nights that slow grape ripening and preserve the wines' aromatic freshness.

The terroir comprises two complementary geological formations, which justify the diversity of grape varieties cultivated: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cabernet Sauvignon for the reds and rosés; Rolle (Vermentino), Sémillon and Viognier for the whites.

The limestone plateau, 80% of the vineyard

These highly draining limestone soils produce wines marked by fine minerality, elegant tension and subtle salinity. They form the backbone of the estate's great rosés and whites.

The sandy soils around the château, 20% of the vineyard

Softer and lighter, these soils contribute roundness, fruity generosity and aromatic richness. The blending of these two terroirs creates wines with a rich, balanced aromatic palette, characteristic of the finest Provence wines.

A committed organic viticulture since 2021

The Organic Agriculture certification obtained in 2021 is part of a comprehensive commitment to respecting the terroir. At Château de Berne, the vine is cultivated in harmony with nature's cycle: no synthetic chemical products, attentive soil management, biodiversity preservation and sustainable management of natural resources.

The 350 hectares of forest surrounding the estate play an essential role in the vineyard's ecological balance and contribute to grape quality. This forest biodiversity, rare at this scale in Provence, strengthens the natural resilience of the vines and reduces the need for external interventions.

Alexis Cornu's expertise: innovative winemaking and ageing rosés

Under the direction of oenologist Alexis Cornu, Château de Berne pursues a modern vision of gastronomic Provence wines. Certain cuvées benefit from innovative winemaking techniques: barrel fermentation for select rosés, plot-specific vinifications and carefully managed ageing to preserve the elegance of the fruit.

These bold choices produce Provence rosés capable of ageing, an exception in a region where rosé is typically conceived for immediate consumption. They create wines perfectly suited to gastronomic food pairings, surprising for their depth and ability to evolve in the cellar.

Another unmistakable signature: the square bottle of Château de Berne, which immediately sets every cuvée apart on any table or wine rack. An aesthetic choice that is also a statement of intent — the wines of Berne deserve to be noticed before they are tasted. At the Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant Le Jardin de Berne, these same wines accompany fine cuisine within a 5-star Relais & Châteaux hotel at the heart of the Var.

The iconic ranges of Château de Berne

The estate offers five collections, each expressing a different facet of the Haut-Var terroir, from the aperitif rosé to the grand gastronomic wine:

Terres de Berne

AOC Côtes de Provence · Rosé, white, red · Terroir expression

Balanced and expressive wines revealing the freshness and typicity of the Berne terroir. The entry point into the estate's universe, vibrant, precise and immediately pleasurable.

Berne Inspiration

AOC Côtes de Provence · Structured & complex · Gastronomy

A more structured and complex range, ideal for pairing with refined cuisine. Wines that hold their own at Mediterranean fine-dining tables and ambitious food-and-wine pairings.

Château de Berne Grande Cuvée

AOC Côtes de Provence · Prestige · The estate's signature

The estate's prestige signature, symbol of its expertise and exacting standards. Crafted from the finest limestone parcels, capable of ageing and evolving with grace over several years.

Esprit Méditerranée

Côtes de Provence · Rosé · Approachable & fruit-forward

An accessible, fruit-forward cuvée, the perfect introduction to Berne's elegant, fruity Provence rosés. The ideal companion for sunny summer meals in Provence.

Berne Romance

AOC Côtes de Provence · Rosé · Fresh & seductive

Fresh, fruity and immediately seductive: Berne Romance expresses the aromatic generosity of the sandy soils around the château. A Provence rosé for every convivial occasion.

Careful delivery across France and Europe · Organic rosés, whites & reds

What sets Château de Berne apart in AOC Côtes de Provence

300 metres altitude, among the highest in the Provençal vineyard. This exceptional position in Lorgues, Haut-Var, creates day-to-night temperature swings that lowland vineyards simply cannot replicate. The result: the aromatic freshness and natural acidity that distinguish the great Berne rosés as altitude wines.

Organic certified since 2021. All 175 hectares are farmed without synthetic chemicals, in full harmony with the natural cycle. Not a recent trend, the outcome of a long-standing commitment.

Provence rosés that can age in the cellar. Barrel fermentation on select cuvées, under Alexis Cornu's direction, produces rosés of rare depth, designed for gastronomy and cellar evolution. An exception in the Côtes de Provence appellation.

The square bottle, a unique signature. Instantly recognisable, the square bottle of Château de Berne has become one of the icons of premium Provence wines internationally. An aesthetic decision that reflects an ambition: wines worth noticing.

Relais & Châteaux, Michelin star, 2,000 years of history. From the Roman Via Aurelia to the Cistercians, from the 18th century to Mark Dixon's vision, Château de Berne combines historic depth with contemporary excellence, across 500 hectares of forest and vines in Lorgues.

Frequently asked questions about Château de Berne and Côtes de Provence wines

Why are altitude Provence rosés from the Haut-Var fresher and more aromatic ?

Vineyards at altitude, like those of Château de Berne at 300 metres in the Haut-Var, benefit from significant temperature swings between day and night. These cooler nights slow grape ripening, preserving natural acidity and intensifying aromatics. The result: Provence rosés that are finer, more elegant and more complex than those from lowland vineyards, with the aromatic freshness and mineral tension that characterise the estate's limestone soils in Lorgues.

Where is Château de Berne and what appellation does it produce ?

Château de Berne is located in Lorgues, Var (83510), route de Salernes, in the heart of the Provençal hinterland. The estate produces wines under the AOC Côtes de Provence appellation, one of the region's most prestigious designations for refined rosés. The vineyard spans 175 hectares at approximately 300 metres above sea level, on a Triassic plateau resting on Jurassic limestone bedrock, an exceptional geological setting in Provence.

Is Château de Berne certified organic ?

Yes. Since February 2021, the entire Château de Berne vineyard holds French Organic Agriculture (Agriculture Biologique - AB) certification, equivalent to EU organic standards. This covers all 175 hectares and means zero synthetic chemical products, attentive soil management, biodiversity preservation and sustainable resource management. The surrounding 350 hectares of forest further reinforce this ecological balance.

What is AOC Côtes de Provence and what wines does it produce ?

AOC Côtes de Provence is France's most exported rosé wine appellation, covering a wide territory across the Var and Bouches-du-Rhône. Its dominant grape varieties include Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Rolle (Vermentino) and Mourvèdre. The appellation produces rosés, whites and reds under strict blending and viticultural rules that preserve the typicity of Provençal wine. Provence rosé now accounts for over 90% of the region's wine production, and Côtes de Provence is its flagship designation.

What food pairings work best with Château de Berne wines ?

The Terres de Berne and Esprit Méditerranée rosés pair beautifully with salade niçoise, summer grills, sauced fish or Provençal charcuterie. The Berne Inspiration range, more structured, suits shellfish, truffle risotto or white meat in sauce. The Grande Cuvée, with its depth and ageing potential, calls for fine gastronomy, lamb, noble fish, aged cheeses. The estate's reds pair perfectly with red meats and slow-cooked Mediterranean dishes.

Can Château de Berne rosés age in the cellar ?

Yes, and this is one of the estate's most distinctive features. Under Alexis Cornu's direction, select cuvées, particularly the Grande Cuvée, undergo barrel fermentation and carefully managed ageing, giving them a structure and depth rare for a Provence rosé. Blended primarily around Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah, these wines develop positively over 3 to 7 years, gaining aromatic complexity and roundness. A recommendation: taste the Grande Cuvée rosé young, then rediscover it after 2 to 3 years in the cellar.

Why do Château de Berne wines come in a square bottle ?

The square bottle of Château de Berne is one of the most distinctive signatures in premium Provence wine. This aesthetic choice is a deliberate statement: to give the wines a presentation as distinctive as their terroir. The square format has become a globally recognised symbol of the estate, immediately identifiable on wine lists and shop shelves across France, the UK and international markets. Ordering through Avenue des Vins guarantees you receive the authentic cuvée, in its iconic bottle, delivered with full care.

Château de Berne · Route de Salernes · 83510 Lorgues, Var · AOC Côtes de Provence · Organic · Relais & Châteaux

175 ha · 300 m altitude · 5 ranges · Winemaker Alexis Cornu · Organic certified 2021 · Côtes de Provence wines · Provence rosé · Organic wines