Heading for the Var! Latitude 43.137, longitude 6.366, destination: Lavandou. There is no need to wait until summer to discover this seaside resort, nicknamed the "twelve sands resort": in all seasons, it magically displays its twelve kilometres of coastline, its twelve divinely coloured beaches, its vast marina and its lively shops. But if this bewitching coast with its incessant spray can only intoxicate the passing traveller, it is not the only attraction. There are riches which, undoubtedly better kept, reveal their exceptional character only to the curious epicureans. We're in!
The Domaine de l'Anglade, the only wine-growing estate in the commune
On the sea side, a succession of sandy beaches and steep rocks; on the land side, vineyards as far as the eye can see. Introduced by the Phoenicians around 600 BC, and later exploited by the Romans, the Var's wine-growing areas are said to be the oldest in France. Today, with four AOCs (Côtes-de-Provence, Coteaux-varois-en-Provence, Bandol and Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence for a tiny part of its territory), four terroir names, and a significant production of IGP wines, the department produces quality nectars in all three colours. It is even in pole position among rosé wine producing regions in the world! But thanks to its location in front of the sea, Lavandou's economy was oriented towards fishing and then tourism, from the 16th and 20th centuries respectively. In 2017, the municipality still has only one winegrowing estate: Domaine de l'Anglade, owned by the Van Doren family since 1925.
From music to wine, perfection as a key word
The history of the estate is that of a name, a family, and three generations in constant search of perfection. Eugène Van Doren, clarinetist at the Colonne concerts and the Paris Opera, founded Vandoren SAS in 1905, the leading producer of high-end reeds and mouthpieces for clarinets and saxophones. Twenty years later, he bought a property in Le Lavandou facing the sea and set up his factory a few kilometres away - his genius then led him to invent a machine to design reeds. At that time, the estate already housed a small vineyard, preserved in its original state for the simple pleasure and family production. A few years later, Robert Van Doren, his son, took over the double torch: he won the First Prize of the Paris Conservatory of Clarinet, and made the brand shine worldwide. With his son Bernard, grandson of Eugène, he later entrusted the vineyard to a vineyard manager and invested in the modernisation of the cellars and in state-of-the-art equipment. In music as in wine, these two have an avant-garde line of conduct: far from being satisfied with meeting a demand, they succeed brilliantly in anticipating the need. When Bernard Van Doren took over the estate, distinction and excellence remained his main focus. He had all the vines uprooted and replanted with bold grape varieties such as Cabernet and Merlot, which at the time were not recognized in the region. He surrounded himself with a talented manager - Claude Audibert as Cellar Master -, soon joined by his daughter Armeline, an oenologist
Terroir and know-how: perfect alchemy
The Domaine de l'Anglade covers 40 hectares, including 19 hectares of vines harmoniously integrated into a green setting by the sea, between pine forest and cane of Provence. Planted in the foothills of the eponymous massif, the vineyard is classified as a Maures Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). The old vines of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault draw from the schist of the hills the strength to nourish a few bunches full of aromas and sunshine, while below, the rolle, sémillon and viognier, draw minerality and finesse from the hills and gravelly soils. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, more gourmet, ripen in the calm of the seaside, to enrich themselves with a maximum of character. Here there is no herbicide: biodiversity, soil life and erosion control are favoured by temporary grassing. The harvest of the bunches is also entirely carried out at night and by hand in order to preserve the quality of the aromas. The red, white and rosé wines that emanate from them are thus remarkable in terms of quality and precision, and have acquired a fine reputation with major companies such as Guy Savoy and Georges Blanc in particular
Smart info
When? When? In any season, after having walked on the fresh sand of one of the twelve beaches of Le Lavandou (the Grande Plage du centre-ville being the nearest). From October to March, the estate is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 12pm and from 3.30pm to 6.30pm. In July and August, open every day from 9am to 1pm and from 4pm to 7.30pm (except Sunday afternoon). The rest of the time, open from Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 12:30 and from 16:00 to 19:30. For a complete visit, Sandrine and Bernard, third generation Van Doren, welcome you by appointment.
Where? ENGLISH AREA - More information on the website
Getting there. By car, train or plane (via Toulon), everything is possible
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Useful. To prepare your escapade as well as possible.
LAVANDOU TOURISM OFFICE - More information on the website
