La Bastide Blanche


— About —

La Bastide Blanche was acquired by Baptistin Bronzo in 1972 and at this stage was approximately 12 hectares in size. His son’s Michel and Louis Bronzo joined the business and set about enlarging the estate and working towards Organics. The estate, now managed by Michel’s son’s Julian & Nicolas is 45 hectares in size across 4 four sub regions of Bandol:

La Bastille Blanche in Le Castellet – 26 Hectares – Stony clay-limestone soil on a sub soil of chalky scree
Chateau de Castillon in Le Castellet, very close to Le Bastide Blanche – 8.5 Hectares – Gravelly Clay soil on chalky scree
Chateau des Baumelles in Saint Cyr sur Mer – 8 Hectares – Clay soil on sky clay subsoil
Fontanieu in La Cadiere – 3 Hectares – Red clay soil on siliceous sub soil

Important note here is that these 4 areas formerly operated independently, now all vinified and bottled under La Bastide Blanche. The Best parts of Baumelles & Castillon are used for the production of Rose specifically.

Production and yield consists of approximately 50% Rose (35-38 hl/ha), 43% Red (25-30 hl/ha) and 7% White (30-35 hl/ha).

Alongside their Organic practises they have being using elements of the biodynamic approach including manure preparations, teas and reducing the use of copper significantly. Suphur additions are 40 to 50% below the allowed % in Organic certification.

All grapes are handpicked and vinified on the estate itself. No irrigation of course and the vines are green harvested to optimize yields even though yields are already low. The estate is currently managed by Matthieu Betton, following organic viticulture and the lunar calendar.