The Domain
The history of the chateau illustrates the ongoing relationship between the vineyard and a long line of wine growers on an exceptional terroir.
Located in the commune of Meyreuil and just four kilometres from Aix en Provence, the old bastide of the Grands Carmes d’Aix monks, now the Chateau Simone, has been in the hands of the Rougier family since 1830. Its location on the north-facing slopes of the Montaiguet massif in a natural bowl-shaped formation protected from the winds and crossed by the Arc river give it a special microclimate.
It is influenced by the biodiversity of the nearby forest, the humidity coming from the river with its mass of greenery, its exposure and the fact that the force of the winds is broken.
The Style
The soil consists essentially of limestone scree formed in lakes in the Tertiary Era combined with clays, pebbles and gravel. Their homogeneous temperatures and natural humidity make them particularly suitable for storing and aging wines. The silence, the darkness, and the neatly arranged ranks of barrels and casks all contribute to the magical processes taking place in the precious nectar.
The grapes are harvested and sorted manually. They are then transported to the cellar in small 40-kg bins. They are sorted a second time before being crushed. The fermentation processes are classic and traditional, using native yeasts. Every effort is made to preserve the integrity and structure of the crop.
