Château de Roquefort

Château de Roquefort has passed hands many times since it was built, now under ownership by Raimond de Villeneuve. The history of the château has a rich agricultural past, and was also involved with the old silk worm production. Today, winemaking is the primary focus. The 25 ha of vineyard are located on the edge of Bandol in a sort of amphitheater on clay and limestone. This affords the vines their own microclimate, and grapes are slow to ripen at the altitude of 1000ft. Raimond plants the usual Provencial suspects along with brave recent plantings of Cabernet Franc for kicks. Raimond is no stranger to vintage disaster, hail destroyed 100% of his crop within 7 minutes in 2012. Heroically, his neighbours offered a percentage of their crop, and Raymond made a special regional cuvée from the donated fruit from Provence and Rhône. All members of this generous act have now formed an allegiance guaranteeing the same action for any vigneron within the group to fall victim to hail.