Maison Austruy - Commanderie de Peyrassol

Commanderie de Peyrassol – A millennial estate, an icon of great Provence wines

In the heart of Provence, on the foothills of the Massif des Maures, Commanderie de Peyrassol is far more than a vineyard: it is a place of history, nature and meaning. Founded in 1204, this former Templar commandery is one of the very few French wine estates able to claim more than eight centuries of uninterrupted history.

A unique Templar heritage in Provence

Commanderie de Peyrassol was established when the Order of the Temple received these lands as a donation from the Count of Provence. The Templars developed an exemplary form of mixed farming, in which the vine already played a central role.

After the dissolution of the Order, the estate passed to the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John of Jerusalem and then through the centuries into the hands of various Provençal families.

A decisive turning point came in 2001, when the estate was acquired by Philippe Austruy. Passionate about wine, history and heritage, he undertook an ambitious restoration of both the vineyard and the buildings, while fully respecting the spirit and soul of the place.

A rare high-altitude terroir in Provence

Commanderie de Peyrassol extends over more than 900 hectares of preserved natural land, including around 90 hectares of vineyards, surrounded by truffle oaks, olive trees and garrigue.

The vineyard parcels lie between 220 and 350 metres above sea level, a rarity in Provence that provides natural diurnal temperature variation. This altitude-driven freshness is essential to the balance, finesse and aromatic precision of the wines.

The soils, mainly clay-limestone from the Triassic period, are poor and well-draining, encouraging slow, even ripening and producing wines that are elegant, precise and mineral.

A mosaic of parcels vinified with precision

From the outset, Philippe Austruy commissioned an in-depth cartographic study of the vineyard. Today, the estate is structured around 63 homogeneous parcels, each identified and monitored individually, with full traceability from vine to cellar.

Thirteen grape varieties are cultivated, selected according to soil type and exposure:

– White grapes: Rolle (Vermentino), Ugni Blanc, Sémillon
– Rosé and red grapes: Cinsault, Grenache, Tibouren, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon

This parcel-by-parcel approach allows for tailor-made vinification, ensuring aromatic purity and a faithful expression of terroir.

Organic and sustainable viticulture

Commanderie de Peyrassol has been certified Organic since the 2022 vintage. No chemical inputs are used in the vineyard.

The estate is managed like a grand cru, with constant attention paid to biodiversity, soil life and vine health. Cover crops, mechanical soil work, and manual or night harvesting depending on the parcel all reflect a philosophy rooted in respect for living systems and the pursuit of excellence.

Benchmark rosés, but not only

While Commanderie de Peyrassol is internationally renowned for its Provence rosé wines, the estate also produces elegant white wines and characterful red wines.

The rosés, made by direct pressing, stand out for their freshness and notes of citrus fruit, red berries and white flowers.

The whites, made exclusively from white grapes, offer finesse, tension and aromatic complexity.

The reds, aged in tanks, barrels, foudres or clay jars, combine depth, silky texture and a clear expression of terroir.

Each cuvée is conceived as a work of balance, where technique deliberately gives way to emotion.

A vineyard of art and culture

Commanderie de Peyrassol is also a unique cultural destination. The estate hosts a vast sculpture park featuring monumental works by internationally renowned contemporary artists.

This dialogue between contemporary art, nature and viticulture makes Peyrassol a must-see destination in the South of France.

Peyrassol, an absolute reference among Provence wines

Combining Templar heritage, high-altitude terroir, organic viticulture and a modern vision, Commanderie de Peyrassol now stands as one of the most emblematic estates of Provence.

A timeless place, where every wine tells the story of the land from which it was born.

Why is Commanderie de Peyrassol considered one of the finest estates in Provence ? 

Commanderie de Peyrassol is regarded as one of the leading estates in Provence thanks to the unique combination of its high-altitude terroir, millennia-old history and demanding organic viticulture. Together, these elements allow the estate to produce rosé, white and red wines of remarkable freshness, precision and elegance, now recognised as benchmarks both in France and internationally.