Just imagine… A place where the sun resides permanently and never sets without embracing the vines with its rays, where the warmth of the Mistral makes the vines healthier and the sea spray cools the air. The vines which grow on this beautiful land of Provence are protected and nurtured in order to give their best.

Saint André de Figuière is ideally situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the Massif of the Maures, between Toulon and Saint-Tropez, near to The Lavandou and Bormes-les-Mimosas and opposite The Isles of Porquerolles. The property covers 70 hectares (173 acres) in the village of La Londe les Maures, 45 hectares (118 acres) of which are planted with vines and surrounded by pine trees, cork oaks, strawberry trees and eucalyptus.

In the vineyard, the topsoil covers rock composed of mica and schist dating back to the primary era. There is very little humus and clay and the soil can easily become compact and thus needs special attention. Such a fragile soil is capable of producing wines of remarkable finesse if worked rigorously and carefully.

The Estate benefits from two immense advantages :

The long hours of sunshine in the region, the longest in France, mean that around ten different grape varieties can be easily cultivated and ripen superbly.

The influence of the sea air is very important and much appreciated as it acts as a thermal buffer enabling the vines to start growing early in the spring and the harvest can be carried out just in time before the Autumnal rains.

Convinced of the unique qualities of their soils, the winemakers in La Londe les Maures have obtained from the National Institute of French Appellations a self-recognised appellation under the name of « La Londe », similar to a « village » appellation. Saint André de Figuière which is entirely situated within the boundaries of the AOC Côtes de Provence thus benefits from this extra appellation which underlines the unique characteristics of its terroirs.

For over a quarter of a century Saint André de Figuière has been using organic methods of farming in the vines and is certified by ECOCERT. When taking over the property, Alain Combard made it a point of honour to respect the pure land he had acquired and keep it free of any chemical products. Such methods are vital in order to avoid destabilising a fragile balance and sustain microbial activity in the soil and are not just following the latest trend.

The vineyard does not use any chemical pesticides or weed killers whatsoever and the insect population naturally finds predators thus keeping it in check.

Any fertiliser used is organic and is only spread after having been carefully adapted to make suitable compost.

Fungal diseases are treated using sulphur and copper which only have surface contact with the vines without leaving any residue in the grapes; any parasites on the vines cannot become resistant to these products.

Debudding is carefully carried out by hand as soon as the first buds start to shoot on the vines thus reducing the quantity of grapes that will be produced. Towards the end of July, a green harvest is carried out whereby unwanted bunches are removed on each vine.

The earth is ploughed several times a year. Besides exposing the soil to the air and to the light, this method also helps to reinforce the soil by burying the ground up branches from the previous year and organic fertilizer.  The vines are grassed in with clover in every other row which helps to maintain the stability of the soil and the vines.

These organic methods of farming take longer and are not without constraint, but definitely worth it. Thanks to these methods the vines are robust and healthy and do not over produce.

The grapes yielded by the vines are of exceptional quality; an important factor in producing fine wines.