Chateau Coussin

Beneath the peak of Sainte Victoire, Château Coussin crafts elegant rosés, mineral whites, and powerful reds from one of the largest family-owned vineyards in France. The Sumerie family’s history in Trets—a village near Aix-en-Provence—dates back to the 1200s, and they’ve been involved in the wine trade since the 1800s. Around the turn of the century, Jean-Baptiste Gautier purchased the Coussin property, and when his granddaughter married Elie Sumerie, it became part of the family’s estate. The 120-hectare vineyard sits at a higher altitude than most of the Côtes-de-Provence, with a profound continental influence that elicits striking acidity and minerality in their wines, particularly the rosés. The property occupies richly historic land, where the ancient Greeks and Romans both cultivated vines. There are even Roman tombs on the Coussin estate, proving its ancient origins. Given its microclimate and history, the Sumeries treat the vineyard with great respect, avoiding herbicides to encourage biodiversity, and employing organic practices when possible. Eighth-generation Provence winemaker Olivier Sumerie prioritizes brightness, clarity, and aromatics in the wines. During the early 2000s, while many winemakers were bringing in new oak barrels, he was getting rid of his—all in the name of fruit-forward, terroir-driven wines. Olivier runs the Château with his sister Sophie and his wife Annabelle. Together with the winemaking team, they vinify Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle, Ugni Blanc in a state-of-the-art winery, making pure representations of the Côtes-de-Provence Sainte Victoire AOP.