the Michelland family & Domaine Réaltière
The domaine of Réaltière is located between Jouques and Rians, in a place that is still wild Provence. Nestled at the foot of the Vautubière, Réaltière faces the Sainte Victoire mountain and bordered by the sunken canal de Provence. The vineyards cover eight hectares in the appellation "Coteaux d'Aix en Provence" on clay-limestone soil. They are surrounded by an olive grove and a forest of oaks & pines that combines all the scents of Provence. The vines enjoys a southern exposure, and an exceptional microclimate.
When Pierre's father, Jean Louis Michelland moved to Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence in 1994, he wanted to honor the traditional farming practices and the terrior of this wild place. And so he never used pesticides, weed killers or any other chemical manipulations in the farm, vineyard or winery.
In 2001, Jean Louis died in a tragic accident working the land. Surrounded by friends and like-minded vignerons, Pierre took over the family domaine. Following in his fathers footsteps, the land remains organic & biodynamic. Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan (old vines) and Ugni Blanc, Sémillon and Clairette thrive here under the guiding hand of Pierre & his wife Sylvia - low yields and biodynamic preparations yield happy grapes giving us delicious wines!
