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THE VINEYARDS AT CHÂTEAU MARGÜI
YANN JOUET, MANAGING DIRECTOR AT CHÂTEAU MARGÜI
main shareholder is the American film producer and director George Lucas.
For thousands of years, three natural springs have nurtured this fertile land that
has been passionately farmed by men and women. In front of the farmhouse, a
statue of Ondine symbolises this pure, precious water in a land home to sunshine
and the Mistral wind. The clay-limestone soils and rolling woodlands create a
unique setting for the vineyards planted on hillsides. “Our wines come under the
Coteaux Varois en Provence appellation”, explains winery director Yann Jouët. “The
woodlands, hillsides and natural springs lend them inherent freshness. In 2021,
we officially opened a new 80m2 store at the entrance to the winery, the idea being
to welcome customers in a relaxed setting where the estate’s first vineyards start.
The tastings are free or can be privatised with a capacity of 100 people for the
largest events”. The cellar door shop was designed to host groups with a large car
park, different spaces and sensitively chosen furniture. These features allow it to
generate 15% of the winery’s revenue and the outlook is particularly bright given
the potential for tourists to visit. “The chateau is a commercial bonus due to a good
mix of several factors”, adds Jouët. “The shop supplements its income as part of a
network of sales – the domestic market for the trade, exports to distributors and
direct-to-consumer sales”.
SUMMER 2023 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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