WELCOME
A hidden gem Not easily found, and even harder to leave
La Verrière is a medieval priory and family-run wine estate tucked away in a UNESCO-protected Nature Reserve in the heart of Provence, Southern France. The ancient priory has been meticulously restored to the highest standards of comfort and eco-luxury and is home to a working vineyard producing the multi-award-winning Chêne Bleu wines.
The estate also hosts regular events for wine professionals and enthusiasts as well as highly accredited educational programmes including the Extreme Wine Experience.
Passionate about sustainability, we seek to act in full respect of the surrounding nature and rich history, and to actively promote the welfare of the exceptional ecosystem that surrounds the property.
From April to October, La Verrière operates as an eco-luxury country retreat dedicated to unique holidays, experiences and offsites. Fully staffed, it can be hired in its entirety or on a Bed & Breakfast basis. Guests can also partake in exclusive professional retreats; creative, academic and cultural workshops; cycling and special interest holidays, as well as celebrations, weddings and family events.
Travel up the winding road past the charming village of Crestet to the top of the St. Amand in the charming Dentelles de Montmirail mountains. You will find La Verrière perched like an eagle’s nest, in a private mountain saddle, overlooking the valley of Vaison-la-Romaine, in the shadow of Mont Ventoux. Guests are able to mix the idyllic isolation of La Verrière with on-site activities and the bustling activity of neighbouring Gigondas, Avignon, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Orange, Aix-en-Provence and Marseille.
View of the edge of tectonic plate of St Amand in front of the house - photograper Laurent Pamato
50 Fantastic Reasons to Visit La Verriere
When you come to La Verrière you can choose to relax, away from the madding crowds, or to stimulate your senses and your brain. It is far from everything, filled with history, and surrounded by peaceful nature. We are personally committed to making your experience special; your enchantment is our delight.
You can learn about wine tasting, winemaking, and partake in wine education of the highest order; build goals, sharpen your vision of the future; heal, detox and rebuild well-being; revel in culture and history; explore the beautiful, authentic region.
Here are 50 reasons which merely scratch the surface of what La Verrière has to offer you. The rest you’ll just have to find out for yourself.
ESCAPE, to our hideaway high up in the heart of the UNESCO biosphere nature reserve, and spend time refuelling for the challenges of life and work.
RECONNECT with the values of the land that have drawn monks, farmers and vintners to this ancient site for more than 1000 years.
SEE how Old World can meet New World in the wine bottle. This is a fully functional eco-luxury wine estate producing the award-winning Chene Bleu wines. So, take your palate on a guided tour of complex flavours in a tutored wine tasting class.
PLAN the perfect celebration. For brides and grooms planning a wedding and wanting to host their dream day with family and friends in a French vineyard.
CULTIVATE ideas when organising a corporate meeting. Escape from the glass skyscraper to our dedicated indoor and outdoor facilities, or for fresh air and fresh inspiration.
BASK in glorious sunshine. Pleasant mountain breezes offset hot summer temperatures, which can rise above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit)
SLEEP soundly away from traffic and interruptions. Select a unique bedroom individually themed around the surrounding nature.
REINVIGORATE relationships with those closest to you. The whole priory can be privatized as a villa-hotel or for a private event, such as a family reunion.
SERVE an ace on the private tennis court, overlooking the valley of Vaison-la-Romaine and the Drome Mountains.
PLAY a game of petanque the popular French pastime, with a glass of pastis under the oak trees.
ADMIRE the Vaucluse region from above with a hot-air balloon ride or by helicopter directly from the estate’s helipad.
TOUR the wonderful private vineyards in the area.
STIMULATE children to explore and to create. Kids love the infinity swimming pool, jungle gym playground, pre-arranged scavenger hunts.
OPEN your bedroom window in the morning and look out onto a Medieval herb garden.
ARRIVE in style, landing by helicopter on the estate’s private helipad.
TACKLE the famous Tour de France cycling challenge of Mont Ventoux, even if you treat yourself to an e-bike.
EXPERIENCE the thrills of go-karting, quad biking or rock climbing nearby.
TAKE some quality “me time” on a hot day. Find the hidden bench by the pond and sit in the shade with a good book, not needing to talk to anyone.
LEARN to cook local specialities alongside a master chef in the Bonnet Maestro kitchen.
BECOME a beekeeper or olive farmer for the day with the onsite specialists.
HEAL your aching body with a spa treatment, Swedish back rub, massage, jacuzzi dip, or gentle aromatherapy; perfect for a laid-back hen weekend.
WALK through history in the famed Roman ruins and amphitheatre of Vaison-la-Romaine.
DISCOVER hidden antiques treasures in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.
FILL your cultural events calendar with a Veraison Festival in spring, an Opera festival in summer, a Journées Gourmandes Gastronomic Fest in autumn, or a Christmas market in winter.
HIKE in the local Saint-Amand mountain, and look for remnants of a former Celtic hold-out, conquered and destroyed by the Romans.
ROLL UP your sleeves to shadow the winery team and learn something new about biodynamic and organic winemaking practices.
PRACTICE your latest musical composition on the ivories of the grand piano, or make prior arrangements for a private concert performed by local musicians.
PICK your own seasonal fruits and vegetables in the organic potager garden and learn tips about sustainable agriculture from the gardener.
EXPLORE the area on a day trip to the Popes’ Palace in Avignon, canoeing in Fontaines-de-Vaucluse, the show-stopping ruins of les Baux-de Provence, or the famous art gardens of Poppy Salinger’s Bastide Rose.
TAKE PART in The Extreme Wine Experience rated the most effective, intensive wine bootcamp anywhere.
CATCH a trout for your supper in the basin by the pond.
TURBOCHARGE your wine knowledge by signing up for a blending seminar or try being a Winemaker for a day.
DINE on the Medieval patio, outside the vaulted room, watching the sunset and take a minute to think about the people who have lived on the site since the Middle Ages, and the continuum of this ancient energy-charged space.
MAINTAIN your higher physical self in the private gym.
RELAX in the home cinema room after a day of soaking up the nature and natural beauty.
SNOOZE in the private gazebo on the big mattress in the shade.
PICNIC on the plains of the Ouveze river, replete with olive groves, apricot and almond orchards, lavender and sunflower fields.
UNCOVER the many tree sculptures around the estate, created by renowned artist, Marc Nucera.
DECIPHER and connect with the true meaning of the Latin phrase, “Non Mihi, Non Tibi, Sed Nobis”, the philosophy La Verrière exists by.
VENTURE off the beaten path. Take a 4-wheel drive towards Suzette, a charming little hilltop village 10 minutes away or arrange a Wine-Safari with our team.
REFRESH your skills in French with a pre-arranged language lesson.
OFFER to lend a hand during the honey harvest, the lavender harvest, the olive harvest, or the wine harvest!
PARTAKE in the ChenoBox or farm-to-fork meal in the winery, or in one of the many activities, special tastings, and concerts available.
ESCAPE from big city life within a few hours. The Eurostar from London goes direct to Avignon, only an hour from La Verrière. What better way to see the French countryside!
ASSESS the estate and its full range of Chene Bleu wines, held in high esteem by industry experts.
CONVERSE with Jean-Paul, Sharon, Jean-Louis, Bénédicte, Nicole or Xavier to exchange knowledge and life experiences.
BRUSH UP on Medieval European history in the context of Abélard and Héloïse, the flagship cuvees of Chene Bleu and understand the reasoning behind their names.
WORK outdoors, if you need to, or feel inspired to bring fresh thinking to old problems, as WiFi and outdoor plugs are available throughout the property.
JUST BE yourself; relax, enjoy, grow, be in this moment.
COME BACK to discover the four seasons of La Verrière.
photographer Laurent Pamato
