Located near Seillans, Val d’Iris owes its name to an ancient iris plantation for the Grasse perfumery. My family and I have been buying wine directly from this vineyard for years.

Not only do they produce exceptional quality wine, but the people behind it are wonderful as well. The vineyard is run by a small team, and their wines are very reasonably priced – especially given the high quality and their commitment to sustainable production practices.

Today, the vineyard spans 8.5 hectares, with excellent soil that is both stony and clayey. This unusual property is ideal for wine production as it allows the vines to soak up warmth, ensuring the grapes ripen perfectly, while also retaining enough water to withstand the long, dry Mediterranean summers.

Val d'Iris follows sustainable practices, which means no weedkillers or insecticides are used. The soil is carefully maintained using mechanical methods, minimising disturbance. If you look closely, you might spot locusts, grasshoppers, praying mantises, and ladybirds thriving among the vines.

Every decision in the vineyard is carefully considered from a sustainability perspective and the vineyard takes care to use products that are safe for both the micro-fauna and human health, avoiding any that pose carcinogenic risks. They also precisely calculate the lowest effective doses for treatments and adjust their equipment to ensure the most efficient and responsible use.

Transparency is key at Val d'Iris, with every step of the process, from vineyard to cellar, being meticulously recorded. Consumers can trace the entire history of each bottle, including details about the grapes, cultivation methods, harvest dates, production processes, and even specifics like temperatures, yeasts, and ageing techniques.

Harvesting at Val d'Iris is a careful and deliberate process. A team of about 12 pickers works the vineyard, but rather than harvesting all at once, they wait for each plot to reach its peak ripeness. This means the harvest is spread over nearly a month, ensuring that every grape is picked at its prime.

All the grapes are hand-picked and transferred into harvest buckets, which are then carefully loaded into boxes on a tractor trailer. Within minutes, the tractor is driven to the cellar, where the grapes are unloaded by hand into the de-stemmer, separating the grapes from the stalks. And thus begins the meticulous winemaking process in the cellar.

Visiting Val d'Iris

Wine tasting at the vineyard is free, and they offer a small but carefully curated selection. The vineyard is open for visitors without appointment from 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 5pm Saturday. It's closed on Sunday. It's a five minute drive from Seillans, or you can walk there in less than an hour.

Most of their wines are reds, with about five types to choose from, along with two whites and one rosé. The whites are distinctly different—one has a deep, intriguing flavour, while the other is much lighter. Their red wines tend to be full-bodied and spicy, but they've recently introduced a new summer red, designed to be enjoyed chilled. It’s light, fruity, and perfect for hot days—I can personally vouch for how delicious it is chilled!

You’re welcome to explore the vineyards at your own pace, either before or after the tasting. When I last visited, we decided to walk around after the tasting, but with the summer sun blazing down on us, it might not have been the wisest choice!

The vineyard is also home to some friendly cats and dogs, who are always happy to greet visitors.