Chateau Jean-Pierre Gaussen
Bandol
About 11-12 hectares of vines in the goblet style
located right in the heart of the best part of
Bandol on the hill between Le Plan du
Castellet and La Cadière d'Azur.
Gravity does most of the work in the winery
which, along with the cellar, is located in
a natural cave where the temp is constantly
cool. Although the style at Gaussen is
traditional, the cellar equipment is modern.
The winery was started by Jean-Pierre and his
wife in the 60s. Gaussen is a very old school
farmer and holds to making traditional style
Bandol. All harvesting is done by hand.
He has always farmed without the use of
synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. I think
in some ways he disdains the use
of terms like organic for promotional
purposes. When asked about his feelings on
organics and biodynamics, his repsonse was
"I don't know the rules, I just farm the way I
always have." At the same time, he's very
opposed to using anything unnatural on the
land or in the wine.