2021 Château Miraval Côtes De Provence Blanc

The Winemaking Process

The grape harvest is meticulously conducted exclusively in the morning, followed by two rounds of sorting. The grapes undergo destemming, with Cinsault, Grenache, and Rolle varieties experiencing ‘direct pressing’. The Syrah variety, on the other hand, is partially vinified using the saignée method. The vinification process is carried out predominantly in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats (95%) and partly in barrels (5%), with periodic stirring of the lees (batonnage).

Château Miraval 

Château Miraval is a historic estate located in the Provence region of southeastern France, specifically in the Var department, near the village of Correns. The property spans over 500 hectares and includes vineyards, olive groves, woods, and a beautiful château. It’s also known for its stunning terraced landscapes.

The estate’s history dates back to pre-Roman times, with various archaeological remains found on the property. In the Middle Ages, it was one of the dwellings of the monks of the Abbey of Saint Victor in Marseille. Later, in the 17th century, it was the residence of the Prince of Naples, who was also the Count of Provence. Over time, Château Miraval passed through various owners and was developed as a rural farm and vineyard.

In the 20th century, Miraval became famous as a recording retreat. In the 1970s, French jazz pianist and composer Jacques Loussier owned the château and installed a recording studio known as Studio Miraval. Many notable musicians, including Sting, Pink Floyd, and The Cranberries, recorded there. Pink Floyd famously recorded part of their album “The Wall” at Miraval.

In 2008, Hollywood actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie leased, and then later purchased, Château Miraval, initially as a summer home. The couple became joint owners of the estate and continued to develop the vineyard, producing a line of wines in collaboration with the Perrin family, a well-known wine-producing family from the Rhône Valley. The wines, especially the Miraval Rosé, have gained international acclaim.

Over its long history, Château Miraval has stood as a testament to the rich cultural and viticultural heritage of Provence. Today, it’s known as much for its star-studded connections as for its high-quality wines.

The Winemaker

When  Pitt and Jolie landed, Marc Perrin a highly respected winemaker from the Rhône Valley in France. He’s a member of the Perrin family, who own and operate the prestigious Château de Beaucastel winery in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, as well as several other wine projects in the southern Rhône Valley and other regions of France.

In addition to their own properties, the Perrin family has been involved in managing the vineyards and wine production at Château Miraval since 2008, when the estate was purchased by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Marc Perrin and his family were chosen for their extensive experience in winemaking and their familiarity with local viticulture. They’ve played a significant role in the success of Château Miraval’s wines, especially their acclaimed rosé.

The Perrin family is known for their organic and biodynamic farming methods and for their expertise in blending various grape varieties—a skill that’s particularly important in the Rhône Valley, where many different grape types are grown.