Château de Berne’s Grande Récolte rosé has long been one of our favorite summer wines from Provence at our local market, so we were beyond excited to have the opportunity to spend the weekend on their gorgeous Provençal estate. Provence is typically very busy in the Summer, but we found it more pleasant to visit in the fall. The vineyard leaves were just beginning to change and it air was cool and crisp.
Located just outside the small village of Flayosc, this expansive property is home to a luxury hotel, a Michelin-starred restaurant, a Bib Gourmand-recognized bistro, and 175 hectares of organically-farmed vineyards. We arrived at the property to be greeted with a glass of rose and a beautiful family room equipped with all of the necessary things for a couple and grandmother traveling with a baby.
Our suite had two rooms that were adjoined by a hallway and bathroom. The team had already set up a changing table, crib, baby bathtub, and left a giant teddy bear in the sitting area. The room would have been equally perfect for a family with older children, with two double beds in the adjoining room.
After we settled in we headed to Le Bistro for lunch. They have a small menu with traditional dishes like stuffed tomatoes and steak tartare. You can also choose a simple pizza to accompany a bottle or glass of any of the Estate’s wines. This was a great introduction to their additional wines that we had never seen before, like the blanc, rouge, and oak-aged rose. Click here to see more from our visit to Le Bistro.
The property around Château de Berne is simply stunning. It’s actually around a 15-minute drive into the property from the nearest town through landscapes that reminded us of California. Rather than farm one giant plot, the estate consists of smaller vineyards dotted around the property. The hotel itself is located next to an organic garden and an enticing pool, which we didn’t get to enjoy due to it being a pretty rainy weekend. There are also multiple hiking trails from which you can discover the property on foot.
We think a perfect day at Château de Berne would go something like this: Start with a leisurely breakfast in the sunny, garden-like dining room of La Jardin de Berne, then head for a hike around the property to discover the Roman bridge (there are Roman ruins throughout Provence). Book a wine tasting in the winery building, which is adjacent to the Bistro, before lunch. Then order a bottle of your favorite Château de Berne wine to accompany the menu du jour. After lunch, take a stroll through the gorgeous gardens before spending the afternoon by the pool or unwinding in the Château’s beautiful spa.
Before dinner, grab a cocktail in the small but excellent bar, then head to dinner at the excellent Le Jardin de Berne restaurant. The wine list is really impressive, and you can find treasures from all over France. See more from our dinner here.
We’d love to return to Château de Berne for one of their cooking classes. Originally a stable, their stunning kitchen features original stone sinks (previously water troughs), expansive work surfaces, mint green Smeg mixers, and gorgeous copper cookware.
Château de Berne, Chemin des Imberts, 83780 Flayosc, France
Note: Château de Berne provided support for the reporting of this story.