There is a distinct magic to late afternoons here at Chateau du Soleil in Provence... The fierce Mediterranean sun begins to soften, painting the sky in incredible shades of apricot and lavender, and a cool breeze sweeps through the plane trees... Around here, we don't just let this hour pass by ~ we celebrate it. The apéritif (or simply "l'apéro") is a sacred daily ritual here at The Villa, a slow transition from the warmth of the day into the ease of the evening...
Lately, we’ve had a few guests ask us a great question: “What’s the true story behind this Wine Bar, and what kinds of wines might we expect ?”
So when we say "Open Bar," we mean it
If you've been on our Tours before, and on this trip we know several of you have, ~ you'll find that we continue to refine both our Cuisine and our Bar... The price of your Beautiful Villages of Provence Tour includes unlimited access to our fully stocked Wine, Champagne, Prosecco, Beer, and Soft Drink Bar at the Villa. It’s not just open for dinner ~ it’s available all day, every day, anytime we are at the Villa up until 10:00 PM.
(And let’s be honest, we don’t want to shut down a good time! If everyone is enjoying themselves safely, we always leave a few bottles out when we start breaking down at 10:00 PM. We just like to gently remind everyone that we have a wonderful hilltop villages to explore the next morning... and we always have a schedule to keep!)
When you add up what a typical resort, upscale restaurant, or cruise ship charges per drink over a full week, this inclusion alone saves you hundreds of dollars. More importantly, it removes the "nickel-and-diming" friction from your vacation... You get to completely relax without ever looking at a price list or worrying about a running tab.
Beyond the Villa: A Curated French Wine Experience
While we are surrounded by breathtaking local landscapes~ including spectacular local rosés that have captured the highest honors from France’s top wine guides like Guide Hachette ~ our wine selections don't stop at the nearest vineyard lines!
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| Brad & Angelina's Provençal Rose - Their famous Estate isn't too far away... (actually, today we think it's just Brad's Rose) |
Are these $200 bottles of elite Bordeaux growth or rare Burgundy? No, of course not. But these are highly rated, upscale wines that you would typically pay $50 to $120 a bottle for in upscale French restaurants... Most are award-winning AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) labels, premium Cru Classé rosés, and exceptional estate reds and whites, including wines from the Vacqueyras AOC, Gigondas AOC, Rasteau AOC, Beaumes-de-Venise AOC, Ventoux AOC, Bandol AOC, Tavel AOC, Cassis AOC, Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC and of course most famously The Champagne AOC ~ These are indeed the top AOC's in all of France!
If you know French wine, you will instantly recognize the world-class names on our shelves:
Château d'Esclans (Whispering Angel / Rock Angel)
Domaine Ott
Château de Miraval (Brad & Angelina's Estate)
Château Minuty
Château Pesquié
E. Guigal (Rhône Valley)
M. Chapoutier
Domaine de la Janasse
Château La Nerthe (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
- Château de Trinquevedel (Tavel)
- Piper-Heidseick
- Veuve Clicquot
- and a beautiful rotation of independent, boutique Provençal domaines.
A Very Special Dinner Treat
While our daily bar is spectacular, we always love to surprise you... And every now then, throughout the Tour, we'll bring out a few very special, premium, cellared bottles of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and bold Gigondas to perfectly pair with the meal!
The "Beautiful Villages" Difference vs. Mass-Market Bus Tours
To truly appreciate the value of the Villa’s open wine bar, it helps to look at what the big, mass-market corporate bus tours do. On those mega-tours, you are often left to fend for yourself for half of your dinners. When wine is included, it’s usually a single glass of vin de table ~ bulk "box wine" purchased by the metric ton and served in unmarked pitchers.
We don't do box / bulk wine... We spend a lot of time to bring you offerings at our bar that we can be proud of... These are not generic carafes of red, white and pink wines... At our Villa, every single bottle is certified AOC, corked, sealed, and clearly labeled. You can read the estate, appreciate the vintage, and experience true, authentic French winemaking.
Sparkling Under the Provençal Stars! 🇫🇷🍾
There is something inherently celebratory about the sound of a popping cork, which is why you will always find an incredible selection of bubbles ready at the bar. But here is where our Provence bar gets truly special: we feature both true French Champagne and beloved regional sparkling stars.
Guests often ask us: “What exactly is the difference between Champagne and our regional sparkling wines?”
True French Champagne: We love supporting excellent, highly rated independent houses and exceptional mid-market Champagne producers... Champagnes which in local restaurants here in Provence in the €75 to €90 range. You'll find beautifully crisp, elegant, and authentic bottles on the bar from celebrated houses like Piper-Heidsieck, Canard-Duchêne, Nicolas Feuillatte, Moet & Chandon, or artisanal gems like Champagne A. Bergère. They bring that unmistakable, complex toastiness and luxury that only real Champagne can offer.
- Crémant de Provence & Limoux: For a vibrant, joyful, and regional twist, we also keep the bar stocked with premium Crémants. Crafted using the exact same traditional method as Champagne but utilizing local grapes, these bring bright, fresh notes of crisp green apple, white peach, and wild citrus.
- Authentic Italian Prosecco: While we love the elegant luxury of a chilled bottle of true French Champagne on the bar, you’ll also find plenty of crisp, joyful Italian Prosecco ready to bring a touch of vibrant, sun-drenched brightness to your afternoon.
Pro tip: For the ultimate apéro experience, follow the time-honored European tradition: top your Aperol with our lively Italian Prosecco rather than Champagne ~ its bright, clean notes of green apple and fresh pear are the exact flavor profile designed to let that bitter orange botanical pop perfectly...
Our bubbles don't take themselves too seriously ~ they are light, incredibly refreshing, and designed to be enjoyed fresh, making them the absolute perfect companion for a warm, carefree afternoon on the terrace.
And of course, because we love a great sun-drenched apéro, there will absolutely be Aperol and local Pastis (like Ricard or Henri Bardouin) on hand to mix up a classic Aperol Spritz or a traditional milky-yellow glass of l'or blanc (white gold) under the shade of the trees!
The Ritual (Pastis): You cannot have a Provence bar without this anise-flavored liqueur. Serving it is an art form: pour a small splash of Ricard or an artisanal Pastis Henri Bardouin into a glass, and serve it alongside a classic ceramic pitcher of ice-cold water. Watch it turn from clear amber to a cloudy, milky yellow ~the literal color of a Provençal summer.
For a truly French Classic: Provençal Death in the Afternoon ~ invented by Ernest Hemingway in the 1930s ~
Step 1: Pour a tiny splash (about 1/2 ounce) of Ricard Pastis into a chilled Champagne flute
Step 2: Top it up with crisp Champagne.
Step 3: Watch it cloud up beautifully, and garnish with a tiny sprig of fresh mint or a twist of lemon peel.
The cold Champagne creates a beautiful, shimmering, opalescent pearl color in the glass ~ a truly authentic, upscale taste of the French art de vivre!
More Than Just Wine: Premium French & European Beers
Not a wine drinker? No problem at all. Our fridge is always packed with a fantastic selection of upscale European and classic French beers, featuring:
Kronenbourg 1664 & 1664 Blanc (The classic premium French lagers)
Meteor Blonde (A crisp, refreshing favorite from Alsace)
La Cagole (The iconic craft blonde beer born down the road in Marseille)
Pelforth Blonde or Brune
Heineken, Stella Artois, Beck's, and Guinness
A full selection of premium soft drinks, artisanal French lemonades & Iced Teas
Savor the Moment ~ You're on Vacation!
When we return to the Villa in the late afternoons after a beautiful day of exploring, the driving is done for the day. You are home.
Feel free to pour a glass, sit out under the plane trees, and drink in those incredible, sweeping valley views. There are no restaurant checks to worry about, no overpriced wine lists to navigate, and no hidden fees. Just incredible drinks, great company, and total relaxation.
A Secret French Tradition: After-Dinner Digestifs
While the main bar is always buzzing, the magic doesn't stop when dinner winds down. Every evening as the final plates are cleared, we like to bring a time-honored French tradition right to the table: The digestif.
To wrap up our evening meal, we feature a rotating selection of special, authentic French after-dinner cordials served right at the dinner table. Because these are hand-selected, premium specialties, you won’t find them sitting out at the main bar during the day. Instead, they are poured as a final, elegant note to a perfect meal ~ a little ritual to aid digestion and spark good conversation long into the night under a blanket of stars.
Expect to savor classics like:
Chartreuse (The legendary herbal liqueur crafted by Monks)
Grand Marnier & Cointreau (Smooth, warming, and vibrant orange elixirs)
Calvados (An elegant apple brandy from Normandy)
Fine Cognac or Armagnac
Santé! Welcome to the good life...
