In the heart of a wonderful natural amphitheater, the vineyards of Pibarnon flourish since the late 1970s. Developped by a pair of self-taught winemakers, the Bandol estate is growing in leaps and bounds today thanks to the vision of their son, Éric de Saint Victor. Supported by his team, he enhances the terroir and history he inherited by creating luminous wines.
Over and above an all-consuming passion, Henri and Catherine de Saint Victor shared a dream that they made come true by dint of daring, as their son Éric, the estate winemaker assets: “My parents were Parisians who abandoned everything to move to Bandol. Driven by a great love of winemaking, in 1978 they took over a few hectares of Mourvèdre grapes from a Piemont winemaker living on Pibarnon Hill. Aged 51 and 40 years old respectively, my father and mother were brave enough to start from scratch, modestly growing the estate as their finances allowed. Their desire to enhance the terroir of this arid region overlooking the sea led them to teach themselves. Without any prior knowledge of winemaking, or farming, they designed the architecture at Pibarnon with its incredible terracing and its amazingly harmonious identity.”
AN INCREDIBLE SUCCESS
Six hectares increased to nine. In 1980, the couple presented their first wines at the highly prestigious Concours Général Agricole de Paris. It was an instant success and their efforts were rewarded by a gold medal for red and rosé, and a silver for the 1978 vintage in the white wine category. This success was far from fleeting, because for the next six years, up to the 1984 vintage, Pibarnon's red won gold medals acclaimed by restaurateurs and cellar masters alike, thus began the rise of Château de Pibarnon wine, causing the Saint Victor family to invest in ten new hectares to meet the demand.
In 1989, when the estate's reputation became international, Éric de Saint Victor joined his parents to bring further new perspectives to the vineyards. Since the end of the 1980s, Pibarnon wines have unceasingly featured amongst the rankings of the world's finest wines.
PIBARNON HILL, A HIGHLY DISTINCTIVE SPOT
Whether it is white, rosé or red, Château de Pibarnon wine is the fruit of a delicate balance. An exquisite readability in the mouth resulting from earth rich in complex fluctuations. An encounter between a terroir sown with promise and the entrepreneurial drive of ambitious people. Éric de Saint Victor refers to the uniqueness of Pibarnon production: "Mourvèdre, a variety from the Bandol region, lends a certain depth to the rosés and reds made at Pibarnon, along with an elegance and eloquence that is reminiscent of my parents' very personality. In addition, one should not disregard the geological particularity of the soils in the vineyard. Contrary to other soil in the Bandol appellation, the soil on Pibarnon Hill dates back to the Triassic, or early Mesozoic era, the period of dislocation of continental masses by the opening of new oceans. The soil where the vines are planted is therefore rich in limestone marine sediments with an alkaline effect, giving the wines a dry, salty aspect.Not to mention the hill's microclimate which encourages the development of an aromatic complexity." Eric de Saint Victor thus works on this production to ensure that it is structured but subtle, with the result that the most recent are evolving in sync with current gastronomy: light and full of freshness.
CAUTIOUS SUSTAINABILITY
Today, Château de Pibarnon produces six wines: Red, Rosé, Rosé Nuances, White, Restanques de Pibarnon and Vieux Marc de Bandol. Creations that are the result of team work on the part of 14 people working 50 hectares. Anxious to lead the estate towards being as aware and sustainable as possible, Eric de Saint Victor takes the time needed after managing the transition to biodynamic farming. A quest for coherence that is the backbone of this exceptional estate and its wines.
