Chateau d’Azur
Domain : Chateau d’Azur
Winegrower : Gael Cluchier & Mr Paul Charavel
Town : Saint Cyr Sur Mer
Region : Provence
Appellation(s) : Bandol, vin de pays
Cultivated space : 4.7 ha
Production : 20 000 btles
Soil(s) : argilo-calcaire, sableux
The philosophy of the domain :
Château d’Azur was created by Paul and Helen Charavel in 1990 after an experience in
the Bordeaux vineyards. The main objective is to make a wine of high quality. Our aim is
to obtain a concentrated and structured wine which could be kept for years. We strive to
get low yields of about 38 hl per hectare. In Bandol we have the habit to say “a vine for
one bottle.”
Mode of driving of the vineyard, wine-making and ageing :
The vineyard of 4.7 ha in one piece is carried out without any addition of chemicals since
its establishment , fertilization is done with manure and compost every year. To protect
the vineyard, we use products with homeopathic doses. Our philosophy is to produce
wine as naturally as possible . Currently we are conducting a reflection for the organic
farming certification . We practice the full plowing in our vineyards 5-6 times a year . To
produce good grapes in reasonable quantities we practice budding in all the vines .
Sometimes, the green harvesting is practiced in July . Harvesting is done entirely by
hand. The vinification is traditional. For white and rosé : maturing during few months in
vats before bottling . For reds with a majority of Mourvedre , the wine have a long aging
for 18 months in oak barrels .