AOC Luberon

Climate: Mediterranean influenced by altitude, with wide variations in temperature and cold breezes blowing in from the Alps.

Soils: Limestone / Sandy / Clay

Altitude: Between 200 to 450 meters

Website appellation : http://www.vins-luberon.fr/fr/

Production surface area in 2023:  3 159 HA

Total production in 2023: 130 744 HL

Average annual yeld: 41 HL/HA

Export: 28%

Recognition in AOC by the I.N.A.O.:  1988

Communes : 36 communes in the Luberon Regional Natural Park.

• Bourboulenc, 
• Clairette, 
• Grenache blanc, 
• Grenache noir, 
• Marsanne, 
• Mourvèdre, 
• Rolle (locally known as Vermentino), 
• Roussanne, 
• Syrah 

• Ugni blanc

• Bourboulenc, 
• Carignan, 
• Cinsault, 
• Clairette, 
• Grenache blanc, 
• Marsanne, 
• Marselan, 
• Rolle (locally known as Vermentino), 
• Roussanne, 
• Ugni blanc, 
• Viognier

Specifications for the appellation

Luberon has a long, distinguished history, dating back to the Lagozza Culture some 5,000 years ago. Headstones carved to resemble human figures bear witness to the presence of an early farming community in the area, while the vineyards have been there since ancient times.
Wine was introduced here by the Greeks, who also planted the first vineyards, but viticulture truly began to flourish under the Romans, particularly around Aigues. A bas-relief depicting barrels was found at Cabrières d’Aigues, along with various vessels for holding wine, including amphorae and demi-johns similar to the ones depicted on the memorial stone at Cabrières. The Calvet Museum in Avignon holds an exhibit known as the “Treasure of Apt” - the finest known set of bronze wine-drinking vessels apart from those found at Pompeii, dating from the 2nd or 3rd century. The Luberon vineyards flourished in the Middle Ages, particularly during the Avignon Papacy, then enjoyed varying degrees of success from the Renaissance through to the early modern era. Growth intensified again towards the end of the 19th century and between the two world wars. Since the 1970s, Luberon’s winegrowers have been involved in a series of major projects to upgrade and modernise the appellation vineyards; as a result, they were awarded Luberon AOC status in 1988.

The climate is largely Mediterranean but influenced by altitude, with wide variations in temperature and cold breezes blowing in from the Alps. Luberon is one of France’s sunniest regions, with 2,600 hours of sun a year – perfect for ripening the grapes. The sharp overnight drop in temperature gives the vines a chance to rehydrate and promotes slow, gentle ripening.

Soils are very diverse. At mid-altitude (between 200 and 450 meters) they include Miocene sands around Aigues, limestone scree at the foot of the mountain and red clay in the Apt region.

The vineyards extend across 36 communes in the Luberon Regional Natural Park, in the Vaucluse département. Bordered by the Calavon to the north and the Durance to the south, they lie on both sides of the Luberon Massif, except for the Combe de Lourmarin which separates the Greater Luberon range from the Lesser Luberon.

Reds and rosés are blended from Syrah and Grenache noir, supplemented with Mourvèdre and Cinsault.
The reds are rounded on the palate, fruity and easy-drinking, with flavours of blackcurrants, blackberries and raspberries.
Often a touch of pepper too, but without losing that characteristic Luberon freshness.
Rosés come in every shade from the palest rose-petal pink to the very brightest colour. They show distinct red fruit flavours, particularly strawberries and redcurrants, with notes of tropical fruit.
Whites contain Rolle (Vermentino), Grenache blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier and Ugni blanc. These blends give the wines elegance and vivacity with a magnificent range of flavours, from grapefruit to peach in the more fruit-driven wines and from honey to warm toast for the more complex cuvees.