Château Duvivier

At the start, in 1991, there was a run-down château in the furthest corner of Provence and the great dream of a holistic, organic Château. Today, Château Duvivier enjoys the status of a model business in organic viticulture. In the middle of enchantingly beautiful Provence, with oak woods and wildflower meadows full of thyme, lavender and rosemary, improved methods and new grape varieties are continuously tested in order to optimise organic viticulture. Clearly, the innovative spirit at Duvivier also primarily benefits their own wines.

Erik Bergmann has managed the vineyard of Château Duvivier in Provence since 2016.

The “wine miracle” in the wild département of Var was made possible by Delinat and its customers who supported the project as shareholders. But in addition to adequate money from investors, there was also a need for the right person to implement the ambitious ideas. Winemaker Antoine Kaufmann was the driving force on the vineyard for over 15 years. He returned to Switzerland with his wife Irene in 2016. Then, Erik Bergmann took over the reins as a winemaker. Erik has a German father, so he speaks very good German. The trained winemaker and oenologist continues to lead Château Duvivier in the established manner.

A private research centre

Research is an important component of the work at Château Duvivier – secondary crops such as vineyard peaches increase biodiversity and provide tasty fruit while roses keep the cicadas in check.

In addition to the actual winemaking, active research work is all part of the job. No other private vineyard in France conducts such thorough research into improvements in organic viticulture as Château Duvivier. For many years, around 40 disease-resistant varieties have been tested on the Château's own multi-variety plot. Thanks to extensive trials, they managed to reduce the application of copper to counter false mildew from 15 kilos per hectare to under 2 kilos. And with the creation of ecological hotspots and planting of secondary crops, they have demonstrated in recent years how biodiversity can be improved in and around the vineyards.

A green star in the wild Var region

The Château is eminently suitable for relaxing holidays in the wilds of Provence.

Château Duvivier is a real organic think-tank. Delinat customers have the opportunity to experience exactly what makes up sustainable, ecological viticulture. The Château is a perfectly equipped hostel with 40 beds and fine regional cuisine. You can relax here in total peace or take short or long excursions into the surrounding area.

Click here to book holidays at the Château: www.chateau-duvivier.com.