Domaines Bunan, excellent wines from a beautiful spot in Bandol AOC

Bandol is a small picturesque resort town alongside the Mediterranean sea about halfway between Toulon and Cassis that gives its name to a wine appellation (AOC) that produces powerful red wines (they must be at least 50% Mourvèdre), rosé and a small amount of white wine.

The Bandol AOC is bounded by a wide ring of hills with southerly exposure. Starting at the Golfe des Lecques near Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, rising to the Plateau du Camp and then curving toward Le Beausset, the boundary of the AOC follows the top of the hills and runs back to the sea east of Sanary.

I have wanted to visit the Bandol area since the first time I read about Domaine Tempier, the famous Bandol winery owned by the Peyraud family, in books authored by Richard Olney, Alice Waters and Kermit Lynch.

For those who don't know, Alice Waters is an author of cookbooks and proprietor of Chez Panisse, a gastronomic temple in Berkeley California for more than 40 years and arguably the most famous restaurant in the United States; she is a long time friend of the Peyraud family.

She was introduced to the Peyraud's by Richard Olney, a neighbor and friend of the Peyrauds. Olney authored cookbooks including "Simple French Food", "Provence, the Beautiful Cookbook" and "Lulu's Provençal Table: The Exuberant Food and Wine from Domaine Tempier Vineyard."

Wines from Domaine Tempier and Domaine de Terrebrune in Bandol have been on the wine list at Bistro Des Copains, the French country bistro I co-own with friend Cluney in Occidental, California. We get these wines from wine importer Kermit Lynch who makes his home in Bandol half the year.

I first learned about Domaines Bunan in a post written by Tuula from Belle Provence Travels about her visit to this winery. Then I ordered a Bunan rosé at a Bandol restaurant and that did it; we were going to déguster wine at Domaines Bunan.

Domaines Bunan

So after visiting the village of Le Castellet with friends Steve and Mary last fall, we headed to Domaines Bunan. Domaines Bunan is a small, three generations family-owned and operated wine estate; the 40 acres of vineyards are planted on steep, terraced slopes facing the Mediterranean.

In 1961, when the estate was acquired by the Bunans, the land was already partially replanted to the requirements of Bandol AOC. The terraces of Moulin des Costes vineyard overlook the Mediterranean sea. The vineyard is planted with 45 year old Mourvèdre and Grenache vines.

Domaines Bunan

The Bunan family have become the single largest vineyard proprietors in the Bandol AOC. Their vineyards are certified organic which means they don't use artificial chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides or herbicides. .

Domanes Bunan

As I said, it was last fall when we went to taste wines at Domaines Bunan. They were in the midst of the annual vendange and we could smell ripe grapes as soon as we rolled up to the winery. Check out the pictures that Shirley took while we tasted the excellent wines from Domaines Bunan.

Domaines Bunan

Domaines Bunan

Domaines Bunan

Domaines Bunan

Domaines Bunan

Domaines Bunan

Domaines Bunan

Domaines Bunan

Domaines Bunan

Domaines Bunan

Domaines Bunan

Domaines Bunan

Steve and I loading our purchases into the car at Domaines Bunan

Domaines Bunan

I finally made it to Bandol to taste wines, albeit not at Domaine Tempier. Tuula was right, the wines at Domaines Bunan are excellent and I am happy we made the trip. I still want to visit Domaine Tempier to see this, almost mythical to me, winery and taste there. Stay tuned.

Domaines Bunan
338 Chemin de Fontanieu
83740 La Cadière d'Azur
Tel: 04 94 98 58 98
www.bunan.com

Have a great day. Chat soon.