One of our favourite Rosés is made by Domaine de Tara. And, judging by the quantities of it that are merrily quaffed by Hélène’s O! France Tour de Provence guests at her castle in nearby Goult, it is highly rated by many others as well! Domaine de Tara makes some other terrific, well-priced wines and we are delighted to make them available once again. Plus, there is a new pink fizz that is really quite terrific.

Domaine de Tara

Lying at the foot of the picturesque ochre hillside village of Roussillon-en-Provence in the heart of the Lubéron Regional Natural Reserve, Domaine de Tara faces the rolling hills of the Vaucluse, Mont Ventoux and the precariously perched village of Gordes.

Pascale, Mathieu, Michèle & Patrick

Patrick and Michèle Folléa are the owners of Domaine de Tara. Each has wine in their veins and longed to have their own little piece of paradise. Michèle’s grandfather was a bouilleur de cru (an individual given the special right by law to produce distilled spirits) and during his teens Patrick joined in the harvests at several top-ranked Pommerol estates. In 2006 they found what they were looking for – Domaine de Tara.

Patrick and Michèle have other careers and three children to raise as well, so they needed someone to manage Domaine de Tara while they commuted from Milan (now Paris). As luck would have it, Mathieu Griveau, an oenologist spied the Folléa’s ‘help wanted’ ad and promptly applied. By coincidence Mathieu’s first job after graduation several years ago was at Tara. He fell in love with the property and its surroundings but moved on to Burgundy to broaden his wine making experience. But he wanted to settle back in Provence.

Mathieu made a great impression during his hour and a half long interview. At the end, Patrick asked his new regisseur if he knew anyone who could look after the commercial aspects of the business. By amazing coincidence he did! His wife Pascale, who also adored Domaine de Tara and the glorious Lubéron countryside had been waiting all the time in their car out in the parking lot. She fit the bill perfectly and soon the Griveaus moved onto the estate and took control. Patrick, Michèle, Mathieu and Pascale make a superb team. Together they are enhancing the fine wine making tradition at Domaine de Tara.

Reintroducing the Delightful Wines of Domaine de Tara

Mathieu takes fastidious care of the vineyards and along with local helpers (could another Patrick Folléa be in their ranks?) harvests the grapes by hand. He allows nature to run its course as the grapes mature, adding a helping hand only when absolutely necessary. Yields from the veteran vines average a low 30 hectolitres per hectare.

Domaine de Tara offer two ranges of wines. The red, white and rosé Cuvée Terre d’Ocre are fresh, elegant, richly textured wines where the grapes are quickly pressed and the juice is fermented in temperature-controlled vats. They are perfect for immediate enjoyment. The red and white Cuvée Hautes Pierres are powerful, aromatic wines that receive up to a year in oak casks (one-quarter new) and can be cellared for several years.

We are featuring an extensive range of wines from Domaine de Tara – the 2011 Terre d’Ocre Rosé, 2011 White and 2011 Red along with the 2010 Hautes Pierres White and the non-vintage Eclat(s) Rosé sparkler. In addition, there is a Terre d’Ocre Sampler (two bottles each of the Terre d’Ocre rosé, white and red). All come in six bottle cases. If you love elegant, delicious, extremely well-made wines don’t miss these ones.

Hélène still has room for another couple of guests for her 2012 Tour de Provence and is conjuring up her plans for 2013. Please contact her to book your expedition to paradise or enquire about the 2013 adventure.