Brigitte and Jean-Pierre Fayard’s decision to buy Château Sainte Marguerite in 1977 was very much made with the heart. The palm-ringed farmhouse and its seven hectares of vines, although charming, needed some love and attention. The easy choice would have been to settle for making something simple and easy-drinking. But instead, the couple committed from the start to making wines of the highest quality. Nowadays, Brigitte and Jean-Pierre’s children are in charge of operations, but the emphasis on exceptional wines is unchanged. Today Château Sainte Marguerite is one of only 18 estates to carry the Cru Classé Côtes de Provence designation.
Back to the roots
Respect for nature has always been key to the Château’s identity: the vineyards and winery acquired Ecocert (organic) certification since 2003, using no fungicides, herbicides or insecticides, and are also certified vegan (no animal-derived products) for almost a decade. More vineyards have been added over the years. Brothers Olivier and Enzo work with a number of different terroirs between coastal La Londe and Pierrefeu, further inland.
Diversity is key
Sainte Marguerite’s vineyards have been carefully selected for over half a century for the quality and diversity of their terroir and for their suitability for growing certain grape varieties. The brothers are able to combine wines of different characteristics, from varying soils and microclimates, carefully layering them into complex blends that are brilliantly representative of the region, but also poised and modern.
The Fantastique collection
The Fantastique collection (rosé, red and white) offers the perfect expression of this unique terroir. Selected from the best Cru Classé plots, with vines propagated using massal selection, they are wines of freshness and minerality, but with balance, texture and depth. The award-winning Fantastique rosé is a must-try for lovers of Provence wines. But the Syrah-dominant red (unusual in the Côtes de Provence) and the white – Vermentino with light barrel ageing – are also gastronomic, ambitious wines. It’s no wonder that Château Sainte Marguerite is a regular winner of top medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards!
Asked to sum up his winery’s house style in three words, Olivier chooses ‘precision, elegance and finesse,’ adding ‘At Château Sainte Marguerite we’re passionate about showing the world that Provence has much more to offer!’
Fantastique collection food matches
White: chicken with morel sauce or kimchi with Asian abalone
Rosé: scallops or lobster or tuna with wasabi and soya
Red: steak or porcini risotto or Peking duck
Discover more about Sainte Marguerite
Connect on Facebook | Instagram
-
Editors’ picks: A clutch of great wines to try – April 2026See what our team has been trying recently...
-
Barcelona Wine Week: Trends and perspectivesThe latest edition of Spain’s largest wine fair set the stage for some exciting tastings and discussions, allowing our Spain Editor to take the pulse of the country’s scene and identify the hottest topics driving its evolution.
-
Gavi: Piedmont’s hidden gemSponsored Content Set between the Apennines and the Ligurian coast, Gavi combines medieval charm, distinctive gastronomy and one of Italy’s finest wines.
-
Cuatro Rayas: Past-proofing the futureResponsible for the largest area under vine in Rueda, this forward-thinking wine cooperative has embraced its role as the custodian of an invaluable natural and cultural heritage.
-
Cantina Tollo: Business not as usualSponsored Content In the heart of Abruzzo, Cantina Tollo is proving that cooperatives are becoming a key source of quality wine. The benchmark producer shows how a long-term vision can balance tradition and innovation to create a truly sustainable business – and some very serious wines.
-
Two different faces of Tuscany: Castello di Radda and Cantina Fabio MottaSponsored Content For 50 years the Agricole Gussalli Beretta group has been dedicated to producing wines of the highest quality in Italy’s most prestigious wine-growing regions.
-
Tenuta Il Finale – Shining a spotlight on Piedmont’s land and grapesSponsored Content A friendship forged through the world of business led three wine lovers to the steep hills of Piedmont, where they are championing the region’s local varieties.
-
Bordeaux whites and crémants: Energy, freshness and renewalSponsored Content A deep dive into the new-wave dry white and sparkling wines from a region undergoing a vibrant renaissance creating crisp, lively expressions that blend Atlantic freshness, historical roots, and modern innovation for everyday enjoyment.
-
Explore Spain with Pata NegraSponsored Content Celebrate the exciting diversity of the Spanish wine scene with the pioneering umbrella brand that brings together a selection of top denominations under just one label. The Pata Negra range allows you to explore regions from Rioja to Rueda – and beyond.
-
Dalmatia: Where to enjoy the stillness of fjakaSponsored Content When Dalmatia slows down in the early afternoon, here are some perfect places to enjoy a little dreaminess.
