2023-07-13 15:30:00
Originally in 2002, it was just a handful of small vineyard owners who had come together to create “la Ferme des Lices”, a small cellar perched on the Treilles de la Moutte.
Little by little, the Tropezian domain made people talk regarding it by harvesting medals at the Mâcon international fair or at the general competition in Paris.
La Ferme des Lices continued to assert itself by becoming “the only private cellar in Saint-Tropez” to produce Côtes de Provence in Organic Agriculture, before switching to biodynamics since 2021.
Beautiful wine collection in progress
(Photos F.E.).
A hyper-confidential production (30,000 bottles per year), but a reputation that was quick to catch the eye of the Estoublon holding company, which is regarding to bring the estate into its already well-developed fold.
At the helm is Stéphane Courbit, the businessman who already owns several luxurious Saint-Tropez addresses (Pan Dei Palais, Château de la Messardière, Tropézina, etc.). The big boss of LOV Groupe, ex-boss of Endemol France always eager for wine-growing opportunities, is thus perfecting his Var portfolio following offering himself Cantarelle at the start of the year, “largest estate of the AOC Coteaux Varois appellation in Provence”created in 1974 in Brue-Auriac and equipped with 145 hectares planted.
“It is premature to give more details because the acquisition is still in progress. The group is entering the company to help its development but nothing changes in the strategy”, explains star oenologist Laurence Berlemont, who has worked for Brad Pitt, Pierre Gattaz and George Clooney. Instigator of the resurrection of the domain in 2002, the one who takes care of dozens of other properties between the Var and the Bouches-du-Rhône, confirms this week to continue her work within La Ferme des Lices, whatever the banner majority in the structure.
Triumvirate of prestigious associates
(Photos F.E.).
It would therefore seem that this vineyard continues to produce its own cuvées in the three colors. That is to say, unlike other estates acquired by the Estoublon Holding, it will not contribute to supplies to create “Roseblood”, Estoublon’s flagship rosé cuvée internationally, which can be found on a few beautiful restaurants in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez in summer.
As to whether Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni, already partners in the acquisitions of Château Estoublon last year (200 hectares around Fontvieille, in the Baux-de-Provence valley) and the Cantarelle estate at the gates of the Verdon , also put some marbles in the case, the answer is no…
The investment was nevertheless tempting, La Ferme des Lices being very close to their family pied-à-terre in Lavandou in Cap Nègre.
Be that as it may, Brad Pitt, George Lucas, George Clooney, LVMH, Chanel, Pernod Ricard, Vincent Bolloré or star watchmaker Richard Mille from Dracénois just have to behave themselves. The Provençal wine-growing center and the land heritage of Stéphane Courbit are constantly growing, with Villa Baulieu and Château Beaulieu in the Bouches-du-Rhône also in its purse since this year.
The episode of the French connection…
The Ferme des Lices covers a total of 7.2 ha, including 4.5 ha under rent. The estate is recognizable thanks to its large white farmhouse which overlooks 2.5 ha of vines in the plain of Salins. A very traditional vineyard, but its history is far from trivial.
About fifty years ago, the place was a pretty vineyard belonging to a certain Jacques Angelvin.
The “mule” that inspired Le Corniaud
Formerly a star presenter and inveterate reveler, he also made the front page of the gazettes of the time. His arrest aboard his Buick invecta loaded with 50 kg of heroin in 1962 in New York even inspired directors like Gérard Oury with Le Corniaud and William Friedkin for French Connection.
Dismembered over time, its land will be divided into eight plots with houses and vines. Nina Michaelis, a Briton who received the property as a divorce gift from her ex-husband, will be the latest buyer.
It was she who, in 2002, contacted Laurence Berlemont (read elsewhere) to take care of the estate and entrust her with rent. His work of uprooting and replanting intrigues the neighborhood who very quickly sees the advantage of such a takeover.
Between 2002 and 2011, six out of eight owners end up joining Laurence. The “Ferme des Lices” is born. And a renaissance is looming for the locals. The reconstruction of the vineyard of the late Jacques Angelvin!
Mission impossible completed
« My entourage laughed in my face when I mentioned this project. He told me that I would never be able to recreate the domain with everyone’s agreement. smiles Laurence Berlemont, who has almost achieved her goal while this dry and sandy terroir is regarding to change hands once more.
1689308762
#SaintTropez #wine #estate #hands #Estoublon #holding #company
