Wine, Pastis, Beer, and Olive Oil Tastings in the Heart of the Var

04/25/2025

Just an hour’s drive from the Côte d’Azur, the Var region opens up a world of authentic flavours, nestled between rolling hills and picturesque villages. Here, nature expresses itself in organic wines with subtle aromas, or traditional pastis with captivating notes, or beers with local seasonal flavours, and of course, distinctive local olive oils. Each tasting session becomes a sensory journey, an encounter with the land, shaped by centuries of tradition and a love of the product. Indulge in a tasting session and let yourself be guided by the history of these precious nectars, sourced from the best local producers in and around Cotignac.

Organic Wines of Provence

In the vineyards of Haut-Var and Green Provence, passion for wine is combined with a respect for nature. Each vintage is the result of meticulous work, rooted in sustainable practices that preserve the land and promote viticulture that respects the seasons and nature’s cycles. Discover wines that tell the story of an authentic region with its land beautifully cultivated for generations.

Château La Calisse

Located at an altitude of 380 meters in the commune of Pontevès, Château La Calisse benefits from an exceptional microclimate that gives ideal conditions for growing vines. In 1990, Patricia Ortelli, a former student of the École du Louvre, purchased this abandoned vineyard at auction. Nothing predestined her to become a winemaker, but she quickly learned viticulture and oenology, guided by her high standards, her intuition, and her attachment to the land. A pioneer in her chosen task, she made the bold choice of progressing towards entirely organic farming. Today, accompanied by her son Étienne, she continues to promote this estate, which has established itself as a benchmark in the AOP Coteaux Varois region of Provence. The vines, cultivated without weedkillers or chemical fertilisers and of course harvested by hand, produce wines of great finesse.

Château Carpe Diem

In Cotignac, Château Carpe Diem embodies the very spirit of Provence, combining tradition and environmental commitment. More than ten years ago, Albéric and Marie-Caroline Philipon chose to take over this estate to live in harmony with nature and find proper meaning in their daily lives. The 30-hectare vineyard, bathed in sunshine and yet battered by the Mistral wind, thrives on a respectful approach to all of nature around. Guided by biodynamics and organic farming they cultivate their vines according to the lunar calendar, as well as promoting biodiversity through animal grazing, hedges, beehives, and plant cover, without any unnecessary inputs. The Philipon couple perpetuate the values ​​that have made this vineyard successful for over 25 years: respect for the land and a commitment to quality. Labeled AOP Côtes de Provence and AOP Coteaux Varois en Provence, their wines accurately express the finesse of the terroir.

Domaine Aspras

Nestled in the Argens Valley, Domaine des Aspras is much more than a vineyard: it’s the story of a visionary family and its surrounding committed village. Founded in 1961 by Gottfried and Lisa Latz, refugees from Germany and then the Congo, the estate was taken over in 1971 by their son Michaël, an agricultural engineer. The Aspras white wines quickly built a solid reputation, both in France and abroad, thanks to Lisa’s tenacity, a pioneer in export sales. Three years after the creation of the Côtes de Provence AOC, in 1977, the estate chose to sell its entire production in bottles. In 1995, Michaël became mayor of Correns and initiated the village’s collective conversion to organic farming, making it the first organic village in France. Today, the vineyard covers 32 hectares, with vines averaging 17 years old, cultivated in a protected ecosystem. Labeled “High Environmental Value” the estate embodies this splendid family viticulture which is deeply rooted in the Provençal land and tradition.

Maison Mirabeau

Maison Mirabeau was born from a somewhat bonkers dream: in 2009, Stephen and Jeany Cronk left London with their three children to settle in Cotignac, determined to create a delicious Provençal rosé that would combine elegance, accessibility, and high standards. After several years of collaboration with local winemakers, in 2019 they acquired a 20-hectare estate located in the Notre-Dame des Anges sub-appellation, in the heart of the Var region. Surrounded by umbrella pines, cork oaks, and chestnut trees, their vineyard benefits from a Mediterranean climate, generous sunshine, and pink and sandy sandstone soil. On the 14 hectares of vines, Grenache, Cinsault, and Rolle grape varieties thrive in a protected ecosystem within the Plaine des Maures Nature Reserve. This natural wealth inspires Maison Mirabeau, committed to organic, regenerative, and HVE Level 3 certified viticulture, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. Producing wines that respect the land and people is a true philosophy of life for them.
Maison Mirabeau, 5 Cour Gambetta, 83570 Cotignac (à deux pas de Lou Calen)

To extend your discovery of the region’s wines, don’t miss tastings at iconic estates such as Château de Bernes, Château de l’Escarelle, Château La Martinette, Château Margüi, Château La Mascarone, Château Peyrassol, Château Simone, Château Thuerry, Domaine Fontainebleau, and Miraval, each offering a unique taste of the richness of the Provençal terroir.

Les Flaveurs du Rocher: the soul of organic Cotignac olive oil

Les Flaveurs du Rocher embodies much more than a simple boutique: it’s a vibrant space dedicated to the olive, its terroir, and those who cultivate it with passion. The story begins with Gilles, a native of Ollioules and a lover of Cotignac, where he spent his weekends as a child. In 2016, he moved there for a change of life, and everything changed when a friend offered him the chance to tend an olive grove. It was a revelation: ne extra oléa—“nothing without the olive tree”—became his motto. Joined by his brother Julien, they harvested their first oil in 2017, the traditional way, by hand, using a gorbelette. It was also the year of the birth of Les Flaveurs du Rocher, a direct sales boutique for organic olive oils and local products. In addition to tastings, the venue offers meetings, workshops, and a true sharing of this living heritage.

Les Flaveurs du Rocher, 3 Rue d’Antoine, 83570 Cotignac

O’Fadoli: a paradise for pastis lovers

In the vibrant heart of Cotignac, the O’Fadoli bar is not just a meeting place, it’s a living tribute to Provençal culture. Its history is written in the bustling evenings where locals and visitors gather around a well-chilled pastis in a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

A choice of over 80 varieties of pastis and absinthes from all over France reflect the growing popularity of these aniseed-flavored spirits, whose history is essentially intertwined with that of Provence. Connoisseurs will find unique flavors, far removed from industrial products. O’Fadoli reflects the desire to preserve a local tradition while adding a touch of fun, and modernity, thanks to unique and innovative cocktails that put pastis in the spotlight.

La TUF: Beers with Local Flavors

La Tuf was founded in 2019 within the former laundry room of the Lou Calen hotel residence, inherited from the eponymous hotel built in the 1970s. This hop and modern microbrewery immerses visitors in the beer-making process, constantly experimenting with new recipes, featuring local and seasonal flavours.

Cotignac TUF beer is available in eight classic recipes (Blonde, IPA, Triple, etc), and it stands out thanks to the treasures of the region and the brewer’s creativity. Our ingenious brewer-in-chief holds nothing back, especially not the originality of drawing on seasonal produce to create limited editions, for example free beers featuring quince, lemon verbena, mimosa, and fig.

Whether you’re passionate about fine wines, a lover of pastis or craft beers, or curious about the secrets of Provençal olive oil, the Var region has some wonderful surprises in store for you. Let yourself be seduced by the generosity of local producers, share a fun and delicious moment over a tasting session, and leave with unforgettable culinary memories that will prolong the magic of your hotel stay.