Vines have been cultivated here for over 2,000 years. From Roman roots to an organic estate in three colours, this is the story of Château Vignelaure - the vine of Laure, muse of the poet Petrarch.
Vines have been cultivated here for over 2,000 years - archaeologists found a large 1st-century-BC Roman winegrowing site just east of Vignelaure.
Georges Brunet - former owner of Château La Lagune (Cru Classé, Haut-Médoc) - builds the estate. First named Saint Estève, he renames it Château Vignelaure, the vine of Laure, to avoid confusion with the Médoc appellation Saint-Estèphe.
The first plantings, from Château La Lagune grafts, make Vignelaure the pioneer of Cabernet Sauvignon in Provence; Syrah and Grenache follow, to be blended with the Cabernet.
The first wine - vinified in red only - is a success straight away.
An impressive cellar is carved from the limestone rock: stainless-steel tanks, an underground storehouse of oak casks, an ageing cellar in concrete, and an art gallery.
Eloi Dürrbach vinifies at Vignelaure for two years; inspired by the Cabernet-Syrah blend, he goes on to found Domaine de Trévallon in the Baux-de-Provence.
The estate's first rosé vinification - the Provençal colour joins the range.
Among three successive owners, David O'Brien - son of the legendary Irish racehorse trainer Vincent O'Brien - stewards the estate.
Mette and Bengt Sundstrøm buy the estate. A major restructuring begins: first white varieties planted, conversion to organic farming, and small stainless-steel tanks to refine grape selection.
The estate completes its range in three colours with its first white wine.
Vignelaure's wines are enjoyed in some 30 Michelin-starred restaurants and sold in over 15 countries - roughly half in France, half abroad.
The historic estate is soon to come under new ownership, one that will secure the future of Château Vignelaure and its storied wines for years to come.