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PROVENCE<br />
SPOTS<br />
JÉRÔME PAQUETTE AND HIS DAUGHTER CLAIRE<br />
amphorae and barrels. Turning the farmhouse<br />
into cellar door facilities goes hand in hand with<br />
the creation of an events venue and accommodation,<br />
designed to consolidate the wine tourism<br />
business. “We are on the outskirts of the Luberon<br />
national park, one of the most visited parts of the<br />
South of France”, explains Benjamin Meï. “Our<br />
location 25 minutes from Aix-en-Provence and<br />
40 minutes from Marseilles international airport<br />
makes us easy to access. Construction of a new<br />
winery will be followed by enhanced wine tourism<br />
activities at the end of 2024. The aim is play a<br />
pivotal role in showcasing Luberon wines”. Wine<br />
tourism is viewed as a driver of growth and the<br />
strategy is paying off with 15% of sales in France<br />
and 85% in export markets. The recent purchase<br />
of Château La Gavède complements the desire<br />
for growth.<br />
CHÂTEAU PAQUETTE:<br />
SURROUNDED BY PINE GROVES<br />
VINEYARDS SET IN THE HEART OF PROVENCE’S PINE GROVES<br />
The history of Château Paquette is linked to a<br />
family that became spellbound by this unique location<br />
in 1952. Hidden amongst the pine groves, the<br />
vineyards look as if they have been perched on the<br />
volcanic rocks of the Estérel mountains, nurtured<br />
by the gentle spray of the sea. The winery welcomes<br />
visitors so that they can take a natural dive into its<br />
vineyards. Then, once back at the cellar door shop,<br />
they can enjoy a tasting of the wines curated by its<br />
staff and indulge in a moment of sheer pleasure<br />
and conviviality. A leafy terrace guarantees ideal<br />
conditions for savouring an appetising choice of<br />
nibbles served with a glass of wine. “Everything<br />
I do focuses on creating what I feel is the finest<br />
site-expressiveness with an impactful range of<br />
environmental commitments”, believes Jérôme<br />
Paquette. “To fulfil my objective, I try and stay as<br />
hands off as possible and let the fruit speak for<br />
itself. I like vintages to be different because they<br />
offer variation. I view my role as a craft winegrower”.<br />
The cellar has remain unchanged and<br />
encapsulates three generations of history. “The<br />
most important thing is the quality of our hospi-<br />
20 SUMMER 2023 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE <strong>FR</strong>ENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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