Provence, France
Domaine de Trévallon
Where Cabernet meets Provence
Est. 1973
About the Estate
Trévallon makes arguably the finest red wine in Provence. When AOC rules in 1994 demanded they cut Cabernet Sauvignon to 20% of the blend, founder Eloi Dürrbach refused and accepted a downgrade to IGP rather than change a vine. That decision tells you everything about this estate. Eloi was the son of sculptor René Dürrbach, a friend of Picasso. He abandoned architecture studies in 1973 to plant vines on rocky Alpilles limestone, literally using dynamite to break through the ground. The first wines were produced in 1976, and the 50/50 Cabernet-Syrah blend quickly became one of the most acclaimed wines in southern France. René died in 2000, leaving behind 50 artistic posters that now serve as wine labels. A new winery was constructed in 2013. Eloi passed in 2021; his wife Floriane and children Ostiane and Antoine now manage the property.
Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Marsanne, Roussanne, Chardonnay
Heritage & Milestones
A journey through time, celebrating the moments that defined our legacy
Property Acquired
Éloi Dürrbach’s parents, Jacqueline and René, purchase the rundown Trévallon estate in Provence in 1950 using proceeds from an art commission, setting the stage for their son’s winemaking project
First Vines Planted
In 1973, 23-year-old Éloi Dürrbach plants Trévallon’s initial vineyards in the Alpilles, defying local norms by equally planting Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah on the limestone slopes
Rebellion Against Appellation
When a 1993 appellation rule capped Cabernet at 20%, the Dürrbachs refuse to replant. Domaine de Trévallon exits the AOC (becoming Vin de Pays) to preserve its hallmark 50/50 Cab–Syrah blend, upholding integrity over status
Founder’s Farewell
Éloi Dürrbach, the visionary founder of Trévallon, dies in November 2021 at age 71. His children, Ostiane and Antoine, continue the family’s pioneering legacy at the iconic estate
Property Acquired
Éloi Dürrbach’s parents, Jacqueline and René, purchase the rundown Trévallon estate in Provence in 1950 using proceeds from an art commission, setting the stage for their son’s winemaking project
First Vines Planted
In 1973, 23-year-old Éloi Dürrbach plants Trévallon’s initial vineyards in the Alpilles, defying local norms by equally planting Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah on the limestone slopes
Rebellion Against Appellation
When a 1993 appellation rule capped Cabernet at 20%, the Dürrbachs refuse to replant. Domaine de Trévallon exits the AOC (becoming Vin de Pays) to preserve its hallmark 50/50 Cab–Syrah blend, upholding integrity over status
Founder’s Farewell
Éloi Dürrbach, the visionary founder of Trévallon, dies in November 2021 at age 71. His children, Ostiane and Antoine, continue the family’s pioneering legacy at the iconic estate
Vineyard Location
Provence, France
Terroir
The vineyards are planted on high-pH limestone on north-facing slopes of the Alpilles massif, which prevents over-ripening in the Provençal heat. The cool aspect and the Mistral wind reduce disease pressure and allow natural winemaking with minimal intervention. Eloi Dürrbach's original planting was inspired by 19th-century agronomist Dr. Jules Guyot, whose research showed that pre-phylloxera Cabernet Sauvignon had thrived on these exact slopes.
Available Wines
Discover our curated selection from Domaine de Trévallon
