Valérie Rouselle (owner) and Pierre Gerin (winemaker) led us on a tour of the two wineries. Here, we were doing a tasting from large oak founders.

We stayed with Valérie in her 19th-century château (my room was in the tour, the top windows on the left, in case you were wondering).

Another shot of “home.”

Valérie also owns Château Sainte Béatrice, which will soon be available in the U.S.

The production of white wines in Provence is tiny (around 5% of the total), and little ever makes it out of France, which is a shame since it is wonderful.

Red production is about double of white, but again, little makes it out of France (here, it was paired with a pastry encrusted whole black truffle).

Of course, there was plenty of rosé to taste.

The highlight of the trip might have been an afternoon in Saint Tropez.

Where we spent a bit of time in the market…

…and strolling around town…

…before hitting the beach for more rosé…

…and lobster.

I was delighted to arrive home to find bottles of Château Roubine’s La Rose waiting for me.