Lands cultivated by Romans, a typical château from 16th centuries, 50 hectares of vines in a preserved and authentic 300 hectares nature : welcome to Château Barbebelle, one of the oldest vineyard of Aix en Provence ! It is the stronghold of the Herbeau family. An history that continues with the 4th generation: Madeleine decided to join her father to write in four hands the future of the family business. Together, they intend to continue to consolidate the reputation of home wines, and highlight the qualities and the typicity of their terroir in France and in many countries.
At 16 kms of Aix-en-Provence, on the road to the Luberon, the Coteaux d’Aix en Provence vineyard occupies 50 hectares in a single estate of 300 hectares. It is in the heart of a protected wildlife, between cypress trees, pines and holm oaks, that vines draw all their wealth to give quality wines. The grape varieties of the appellation (grenache, syrah, cabernet-sauvignon, cinsault, vermentino, sauvignon …) are settled on a homogeneous territory of clayey-limestone slopes on a hilly relief, favorable to viticulture, very representative of Provence » Our vineyards in Coteaux enjoy an excellent sunshine. Nevertheless, they do not suffer too much from the heat. Clay and limestone soils retain moisture. The rugged relief ensures good ventilation and the average altitude of the vineyard – 370 meters – gives us fresh nights even in summer. Finally, the mistral de Provence naturally cleanses the grapes. This brings a little respite to our plants which ripen with more regularity. In addition, the field practices respect for the environment and for quality a reasoned agriculture validated by the label « Mediterranean nutrition »: treatments are minimized and weed control is mechanical.
On one side we have the « elders », their experience, their knowledge and vineyard techniques make them essential resources for Château Barbebelle. In front is the « young generation » with Madeleine in first. Although she grew up in the middle of vineyards and graduated from EDHEC Business School, she knows she still has a lot to learn. And Madeleine acknowledges that it is probably not in the care of the vines that she thinks she can bring something more to the formidable work of her team. But her entrepreneurial training and her feminine touch certainly !
Today Madeleine and Valentin Premmereur work together with passion, love and especially with a great complementarity; Valentin takes care of the vineyards and Madeleine of the commercial, communication, all the development strategy part and the administrative part. Together with Thomas Benard, the oenologist of the estate, they realize the winemaking. Committed to the best and the worst!
