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The Château Roubine vineyards are set on the Julian Way, a route dating back to Roman times. First mentioned in archives in the early 14th century, the château was donated to the Order of Saint Jean of Jerusalem by the Knights Templar in 1307. Throughout the 15th century, Château Roubine was the proud property of several of Provence's most influential families. The château now covers 120 acres, 72 of which are planted with vines. In 1994 French fencing champion Philippe Riboud and his local-born wife, Valérie, fell in love with the property and purchased it. Today's bottle aptly reflects the rich history of Château Roubine: the glass bears the Templar coat of arms, featuring a dragon and a lion protected by the sun's rays, which symbolize the historic Provencal towns of Draguignan and Lorgues. Set in the heart of the Var region, between the Verdon Canyon and the Mediterranean Sea, Château Roubine nurtures an impressive 13 grape varieties, including Tibouren, an extremely rare, traditional variety. The estate's natural irrigation -- "Roubine" means stream in Provencal dialect -- its ideal east-west exposure, and its chalky-clay soil constitute optimal conditions for high-quality wine growing. Combining modern winemaking techniques with local tradition and the skills of one of the area's top oenologists, Château Roubine offers well-structured wines with fine, fresh aromas. Château Roubine is one of the five leading domaines in Provence, and one of the oldest in France. In 1953, the Ministery of Agriculture awarded the coveted title Cru Classé to the estate's wines. |
