LA SAINTE BAUME A UNIQUE TERROIR
Soils and wines
The soils are mainly clayey-limestone and volcanic, in terraces (terraces in French) surrounded by often important stone walls.
The altitude of 350 to 500 m and the wooded mountain range give fresh nights conducive to the development of aromas.
The massif of the Sainte Baume
Since 2017, the Sainte Baume massif has been labelled a Regional Natural Park.
It is mainly built around the long limestone cliff of the Sainte-Baume mountain, which dominates a vast massif with spectacular landscapes at an altitude of 1,147 metres.
Close to the Mediterranean Sea and not far from the Alps, it benefits from a triple bioclimatic and biogeographical influence (Mediterranean, steppe and mountainous) which offers it an abundance of water, a rare and precious element in Lower Provence.
A place of pilgrimage
An important network of chasms, caves, caves and underground rivers, due to the geological nature of the massif, restores this water to people and natural environments through numerous springs and resurgences that contribute to sculpt the slopes of the mountain.
Today the Sainte-Baume massif is a place of spiritual pilgrimage (Basilica of Saint-Maximin: 3rd tomb of Christianity, cave of Marie Madeleine, Chartreuse des Montrieux, Abbey of Saint Pons etc.),
In these ideal ecological conditions, an abundant natural richness develops, some species find a unique place to live in the world.
Not to mention its unique state-owned forest, which in 2018 became the tenth in France to be awarded the exceptional forest label.
A relict forest
For botanists and foresters, the Sainte-Baume national forest is a model of a “relict forest”, a “fossil residue”, a “southern vestige”. Indeed, on the northern flank of the massif, a fauna and flora, usually found in the more northern forests, have been maintained. Above the lower part populated with oaks, the upper part contains extremely rare populations in Provence.
Almost all the vines cultivated by the Vignerons de la Sainte Baume are an integral part of the Regional Park.
A “volcano” in Rougiers
Poulagnier is the “cru” of the village of Rougiers, a volcano located due south at the end of the village, in the direction of Nans les Pins, Marseille. Its basalt soil produces rich and powerful red wines, which are characterized by early grape ripening.
