The Ancient Greeks
Provence is the birthplace of the French vineyard and rosé wines. Research shows the ancient Greeks brought wines and vines to southern France around 600 BC when they founded the city of Marseille.
Serious growth
After the fall of the Roman Empire, numerous foreign invaders came and went, each influencing the Provençal winemaking tradition. But it wasn't until the Middle Ages that winemaking in the Provence saw serious growth. This was due to monks in the local abbeys who were producing rosé wines as a source of revenue for the monasteries.
Provincia Nostra
By the time the Romans arrived in 125 BC, the rosé wine produced in the area had a premium reputation across the Mediterranean. The Romans introduced red wines, but rosé held firm in the area they called “Provincia Nostra” - today's Provence.
A wine of kings
& aristocrats
Around the 14th century, nobel families and military leaders started to acquire and manage vineyards in Provence, laying the foundation for the region's modern-day viticulture. Rosé became prestigious; the wine of kings and aristocrats.
Vins de Provence, depuis 1879
A first reference
A first reference to the CAMPARNAUD estate is in the early 1500s, when the entire property - about 20 hectares - was an integral part of a local abby where monks were renowned for making quality wines. The ruins on top of our vineyards are still a reminiscence of this time.
The Perrin family
In 1674 the CAMPARNAUD estate got acquired by the Perrin family, who owned and managed the property for several generations, until the late 1700s.
Today's building
The current building, or bastide as the French call it, was constructed in the early 1800s. The 4 plane trees inside the patio were planted during the same period.
Extermination
& resurrection
Sometime between 1860 and 1866 the deadly root-eating phylloxera insect arrived from America. In a few years time, it devastated nearly every vineyard in Europe, forcing winemakers to replant their vines. In 1879 vines were replanted at CAMPARNAUD.
A new era
In 2000 the estate got acquired by Dutch wine expert Marnix Engels. Determined to turn CAMPARNAUD into a contemporary winemaking facility that operates with respect for the planet and people, he completely renovated the building and vineyards.
Present days
Today the CAMPARNAUD estate is owned and operated by Marnix Engels & Guillaume de Chevron Villette who strive together to produce delightful wines that represent the unique terroir and flavour of Provence.
A fruitful
partnership
The noble De Chevron Villette family dates back to 1189 and has centuries of experience in viticulture. Today, Guillaume de Chevron Villette owns one of the most modern wineries in Provence. In 2010 a joint venture between CAMPARNAUD and Chevron Villette helped to integrate the company's experience and technology, which in turn lead to even higher quality wines.
Marnix Engels
Marnix Engels has been active in the wine trade for over 40 years. He's a certified "broker and appraiser" in wine and is chairman of the Dutch Association of Experts in Wine.
His former company De Waal, Zey & Engels is a renowned name on the Dutch market, representing some of the top wineries from around the globe since 1920.
