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Château La Calisse
Château La Calisse: Coteaux Varois en Provence organic wines by Patricia Ortelli, direct from the estate...
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Château La Calisse, an organic Coteaux Varois en Provence at 380 metres altitude
Château La Calisse
An organic estate in Pontevès, in the Var, in AOP Coteaux Varois en Provence. A vineyard entirely rebuilt since 1991 by Patricia Ortelli, at 380 metres altitude, certified organic since 1996 (ECOCERT). Whites, rosés and reds, including the prestige cuvees Patricia Ortelli and Etoiles.
In Pontevès, at the heart of the Var, Château La Calisse cultivates the vine where the Romans already did. Since acquiring the estate in 1991, Patricia Ortelli has entirely rebuilt the vineyard: the vines were replanted north-south, on balanced limestone soils, sub-soiled, drained and levelled, on well-exposed terraces. Located at 380 metres altitude, in a bowl that generates a microclimate, this rare terroir is particularly favourable to the vine. Here, everything is designed to reveal the freshness and elegance of high-altitude Provence wines.
A high-altitude terroir and a rare microclimate
The vineyard spreads over several terraces, at 380 metres altitude, in a bowl that protects the vine and creates a microclimate cooler than the Provencal average. The limestone, well-drained soils bring finesse and tension to the wines. The grape mix follows the AOC Coteaux Varois en Provence: in white, Rolle, Grenache Blanc and Clairette (over 3.50 hectares); in red, Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon (over 5.75 hectares). The soil is tended in the old ways - harrows, ploughing, without herbicide or chemical fertiliser - and the vines, trained on three wires, are de-stemmed before veraison to limit yields to 35 hectolitres per hectare.
Certified organic since 1996
Château La Calisse has been certified organic since 1996 (ECOCERT control). The treatments are traditional, mainly copper and sulphur, respecting the soil and the living. The harvest is done by hand, at full ripeness, and the selected bunches are carried in 20 kg crates to the cellar. Patient, sincere work, from vine to bottle.
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From vine to bottle, a careful winemaking
The whole harvest, in AOP Coteaux Varois en Provence, is bottled at the estate. The winemaking combines tradition and modernity: pneumatic press, temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, fermentations at low temperature. The rosés are made by saignée, to preserve their freshness and raspberry aromas. The reds follow a traditional winemaking, part of which is then aged in new oak barrels. Each year, the estate produces about 15,000 bottles of white, 20,000 of rosé and 15,000 of red, with several cuvees per colour, differing in their blend and ageing.
The cuvees of Château La Calisse
The estate offers each colour in several cuvees. In white: the Blanc (Rolle, Clairette, Grenache Blanc), the Blanc Muscat, the Blanc Patricia Ortelli and the Cuvee Etoiles Blanc (aged in barrels). In rosé: the Rosé and the Rosé Patricia Ortelli (Syrah, Grenache). In red: the Rouge Quatre Saisons (Syrah, Merlot), the Rouge (Syrah, Grenache), the Rouge Patricia Ortelli (Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon) and the Cuvee Etoiles Rouge, both partly aged in new oak barrels. The Patricia Ortelli and Etoiles cuvees are the estate's most accomplished.
The whites of La Calisse
Rolle, Grenache Blanc, Clairette (& Muscat)
The Blanc (Rolle, Clairette, Grenache Blanc), the Blanc Patricia Ortelli (Rolle, Grenache Blanc), the Cuvee Etoiles Blanc (Rolle, Grenache Blanc and Clairette, aged in new oak barrels) and an aromatic Blanc Muscat. Fresh, luminous Provence whites, carried by the altitude.
The rosés of Provence
Syrah & Grenache, made by saignée
The Rosé and the Rosé Patricia Ortelli (Syrah, Grenache), made by saignée and fermented at low temperature: expressive and elegant, with aromas of raspberry. The Provence rosé in its high-altitude version, fresh and gourmet.
The reds of La Calisse
Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
The Rouge Quatre Saisons (Syrah, Merlot), the Rouge (Syrah, Grenache), the Rouge Patricia Ortelli (Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, part aged in new oak barrels) and the Cuvee Etoiles Rouge (Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in barrels). Structured, sun-filled reds.
The prestige cuvees
Patricia Ortelli & Cuvée Étoiles
The Patricia Ortelli cuvees (in white, rosé and red) and the Cuvees Etoiles (white and red, aged in new oak barrels) are the estate's most accomplished: more matter, complexity and ageing potential. The signature of La Calisse.
A high-altitude terroir at 380 metres
A limestone bowl, a rare microclimate
Located at 380 metres altitude, in a bowl that generates a microclimate, the vineyard rests on balanced limestone soils, sub-soiled, drained and levelled, on well-exposed terraces. A terroir already cultivated by the Romans, ideal for the vine in Coteaux Varois en Provence.
Patricia Ortelli, a rebuilt organic vineyard
Certified organic since 1996 (ECOCERT)
Since acquiring the estate in 1991, Patricia Ortelli has entirely rebuilt the vineyard: north-south replanting, soil care in the old ways (harrows, ploughing), without herbicide or chemical fertiliser. The estate has been certified organic since 1996 (ECOCERT control), with yields limited to 35 hl/ha.
Organic Coteaux Varois en Provence, direct from the winegrower
Why choose the wines of Château La Calisse?
A unique high-altitude terroir. 380 metres, a limestone bowl and a microclimate, in Coteaux Varois.
Certified organic since 1996. A vineyard rebuilt by Patricia Ortelli, in organic farming.
The three colours of Provence. Fresh whites, raspberry rosés and structured reds, in barrels.
Prestige cuvees. Patricia Ortelli and Cuvee Etoiles, aged in new oak barrels.
Frequently asked questions about Château La Calisse
What wines does Château La Calisse produce?
Provence wines in three colours, in AOP Coteaux Varois en Provence: whites (Rolle, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, plus a Blanc Muscat), rosés (Syrah, Grenache) and reds (Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot). The estate also offers the prestige cuvees Patricia Ortelli and Cuvee Etoiles, aged in barrels.
Where is Château La Calisse located?
In Pontevès, in the Var (83670), in Provence. The vineyard is at 380 metres altitude, in a bowl that generates a microclimate, on limestone terraces bathed in sunshine - a terroir already cultivated by the Romans.
Who runs Château La Calisse?
Patricia Ortelli, who acquired the estate in 1991 and entirely rebuilt the vineyard. She has made it a benchmark of Coteaux Varois en Provence, in organic farming, with cuvees that bear her name.
Is Château La Calisse organic?
Yes: the vineyard has been certified organic since 1996 (ECOCERT control). The soil is tended in the old ways (harrows, ploughing), without herbicide or chemical fertiliser; treatments are traditional, mainly copper and sulphur.
Which grapes does Château La Calisse grow?
In white: Rolle, Grenache Blanc and Clairette (and Muscat for the Blanc Muscat). In red and rosé: Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon (and Merlot for the Rouge Quatre Saisons). Provencal and Bordeaux grapes, on a high-altitude limestone terroir.
What are the cuvees of Château La Calisse?
In white: Blanc, Blanc Muscat, Blanc Patricia Ortelli and Cuvee Etoiles Blanc. In rosé: Rosé and Rosé Patricia Ortelli. In red: Rouge Quatre Saisons, Rouge, Rouge Patricia Ortelli and Cuvee Etoiles Rouge. The Patricia Ortelli and the Cuvees Etoiles are the prestige cuvees.
What is the Cuvée Étoiles of Château La Calisse?
The Cuvee Etoiles (in white as in red) is one of the estate's most accomplished cuvees, aged in new oak barrels. It offers more matter, complexity and ageing potential, while remaining faithful to the high-altitude terroir of Pontevès.
What is the Patricia Ortelli cuvee?
The Patricia Ortelli cuvee comes in white (Rolle, Grenache Blanc), rosé (Syrah, Grenache) and red (Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, part aged in barrels). It is the winegrower's signature cuvee, more concentrated and elegant than the classic cuvees.
What is the Coteaux Varois en Provence appellation?
Coteaux Varois en Provence is an appellation in the heart of Provence, with a cooler climate thanks to altitude. Renowned for its rosés, it also produces whites and reds. Château La Calisse, at 380 metres altitude, is a fine expression of it, with the whole harvest bottled at the estate.
How are the wines of Château La Calisse made?
The harvest is done by hand, at full ripeness, carried in 20 kg crates. The winemaking is modern: pneumatic press, temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, fermentations at low temperature. The rosés are made by saignée; the reds in the traditional way, part aged in new oak barrels.
What food pairs with the wines of Château La Calisse?
The Provence rosés as an aperitif, with Provencal cuisine, grills and salads; the whites with fish, seafood and goat cheeses; the reds (especially the barrel-aged cuvees) with red meats, lamb and Provencal daubes.
Can the wines of Château La Calisse be bought directly?
Yes: the estate's cuvees (whites, rosés and reds, including the Patricia Ortelli and the Cuvees Etoiles) are available here, direct from the estate in Pontevès (Var), shipped with care across France and Europe.
Direct from the estate, an organic Coteaux Varois en Provence
Château La Calisse: an organic estate in Pontevès, in the Var (83670), in AOP Coteaux Varois en Provence. A vineyard entirely rebuilt since its acquisition in 1991 by Patricia Ortelli, at 380 metres altitude, in a bowl that generates a microclimate (limestone soils, sunny terraces, a terroir already cultivated by the Romans). Certified organic since 1996 (ECOCERT control); soil tended in the old ways (harrows, ploughing), without herbicide or chemical fertiliser, treatments with copper and sulphur; hand harvesting, yield limited to 35 hl/ha. Grapes: Rolle, Grenache Blanc, Clairette (whites); Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon (reds and rosés).
Cuvees: Blanc, Blanc Muscat, Blanc Patricia Ortelli, Cuvee Etoiles Blanc; Rosé, Rosé Patricia Ortelli; Rouge Quatre Saisons, Rouge, Rouge Patricia Ortelli, Cuvee Etoiles Rouge (Patricia Ortelli and Etoiles cuvees aged in new oak barrels)