With its pretty hilltop towns to please walkers, and superb food and wine for gourmands, ‘Peter Mayle country’ is still as enticing as ever, says Mary Dowey. Read her Luberon travel guide here.
Luberon: Six of the best estates to visit
☆ Domaine de la Citadelle, Ménerbes
Luberon’s flagship estate, launched in 1989 by film producer Yves Rousset- Rouard and now run by his son Alexis. Polished wines, a shop and a corkscrew museum.
domaine-citadelle.com
☆ Château la Canorgue, Bonnieux
Famous as the setting for Ridley Scott’s film A Good Year, though that shouldn’t eclipse the wines made by Jean-Pierre Margan and daughter Nathalie – organic and pure.
+33 (0)4 90 75 81 01
☆ Bastide du Claux, La Motte D’Aigues
Sylvain Morey fashions exquisitely poised wines with a Burgundian focus on minerality and freshness. Appointments recommended.
bastideduclaux.fr
☆ Château Turcan, Ansouis
In the same family since 1860, Turcan offers a range of well-made wines alongside a museum brimming with wine-related curiosities.
chateau-turcan.com
☆ Domaine Guillaume Gros, Maubec
One of the Luberon’s most exciting new names. Silky, hedonistic reds made in tiny quantities are his forte. No visitor facilities; appointments essential.
domaineguillaumegros.com
☆ Château Val Joanis, Pertius
This huge property may not make the Luberon’s best wines, but is a lovely place to visit. The 18th-century-style garden is one of the most beautiful in the south of France while the shop sells fine local products.
val-joanis.com
