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PROVENCE<br />
SPOTS<br />
DOMAINE DES FÉRAUD:<br />
NATURE AS A BACKDROP<br />
MARKUS CONRAD, THE OWNER OF DOMAINE DES FÉRAUD<br />
AN EVENING SCENE AT DOMAINE DES FÉRAUD<br />
At Domaine des Féraud, savouring elegantly-crafted<br />
wines is not the only pleasure. The winery has developed<br />
a range of enjoyable experiences to include<br />
wine tourism activities all year round. Since 2011,<br />
this charming location has belonged to Markus<br />
Conrad and his wife Annerose, who were anything<br />
but obvious candidates for taking over a winery<br />
and becoming winegrowers. Trumpet player and<br />
company executive Markus Conrad was 50 when<br />
he ventured into winegrowing territory, aiming<br />
to turn his new line of business into an art form<br />
expressing harmony and offering food for the<br />
heart. In the middle of the magnificent Maures<br />
plain, dubbed ‘little Africa’, Domaine des Féraud’s<br />
trail invites visitors to take some time out to stroll<br />
amidst this superb unspoilt location which offers<br />
a home to outstanding biodiversity. The mosaic of<br />
colours and diversity of natural habitats epitomise<br />
an environment that welcomes remarkable heritage<br />
species like Hermann’s tortoise. The former winery<br />
has been entirely revamped to house the cellar<br />
door facilities and now offers a contemporary area<br />
for tasting the organic wines, several of them with<br />
no added sulphites. This warm and inspirational<br />
setting even has a patio area beside the pool. “The<br />
aim is to connect the quality of the wines with that<br />
of the location”, stresses Conrad. “Provence is a land<br />
of tourism and direct-to-consumer sales are often<br />
very important for wineries. We produce fresh,<br />
fruity, dry and elegant wines that encapsulate the<br />
Provencal lifestyle”. Direct sales account for 60% of<br />
the winery’s revenue, mainly due to a skilful combination<br />
of the quality of the wines available and that<br />
of the hospitality. These two fundamental aspects<br />
help generate customer loyalty.<br />
CHÂTEAU MARGÜI:<br />
A LEGENDARY VINEYARD S<strong>IT</strong>E<br />
In the very centre of Provence, Château Margüi is<br />
suffused with a truly magical feel. Since April 2017,<br />
it has belonged to Skywalker Vineyards, whose<br />
14 SUMMER 2023 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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