Luberon

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Varieties of interest

Terroir

• The oblong limestone massif of the Luberon stretches 55 kilometres in length and 18 kilometres in width from Cavaillon to Manosque, reaching its highest point at Mourre Nègre at 1,125 metres above sea level.
• The geographic area extends between the valley of the Coulon/Calavon to the north and the valley of the Durance to the south, covering 36 communes in the département of Vaucluse.
• The Luberon massif moderates the influence of the Mistral throughout the year, within a Mediterranean climate marked by alpine influences and pronounced diurnal temperature variation.
• Sunshine in the zone exceeds 2,600 hours per year, placing it among the highest totals in France.
• The most characteristic soils fall into five types, including stony terrace soils of ancient alluvial deposits and sandy soils on Miocene molasse, strongly influenced by the Urgonian limestone massifs that supply reserves of rocky scree.
• The vines grow at elevations between 160 and 450 metres above sea level, in a landscape of relief carrying forests and garrigue as well as plateaux with a mosaic of land uses.

• In 1951 the appellation d'origine was recognised by a ruling of the tribunal of Apt; the decree of 26 February 1988 subsequently recognised the appellation d'origine contrôlée Côtes du Luberon.
• The vineyard developed mainly at the end of the nineteenth century and then between the two World Wars, thanks to the founding of cooperative cellars between 1920 at Bonnieux and 1930, with the cellar of La Tour d'Aigues using the name 'Coteaux du Luberon' as early as 1925.
• An exception in the Rhône Valley landscape, production is relatively balanced across all three colours, with rosé wines dominant, followed by reds (28%) and whites (24%).

• The red wines are well-balanced with a fruit-driven aromatic range dominated notably by fresh red fruits such as blackcurrant.
• The rosé wines are fresh and fruity, often displaying aromas of exotic fruits underpinned by a balance built on lively acidity.
• The white wines are supple and aromatic, with notes frequently recalling citrus fruit and a balance between freshness and roundness that highlights their minerality.

• The calcareous gravels in the soils promote warming and drainage, which is conducive to the production of high-quality grapes.
• The pronounced diurnal and nocturnal temperature variation during grape ripening allows slow development of polyphenols, yielding wines that are round and full, with freshness and elegance.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in France

Sources

• Product specification (BO Agri, PDF) — approved 14 avril 2024 publié au JORF du 17 avril 2025, JORF 17 avril 2025
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — Inter Rhône