Luberon AOC, formerly Côtes du Luberon AOC, was created in 1988. Located between the Rhône and Provence ‘Côtes du Lubéron…is certainly Provençal in terms of culture, landscape, and wine flavour,’ says Andrew Jefford (2002, p.153). 

Communes (36): Ansouis. | Apt. | La Bastide-des-Jourdans. | La Bastidonne. | Beaumont-de-Pertuis. | Bonnieux. | Cabrières-d’Aigues. | Cadenet. | Castellet. | Cheval Blanc. | Cucuron. | Goult. | Grambois. | Lacoste. | Lauris. | Lourmarin. | Maubec. | Ménerbes. | Mérindol. | Mirabeau. | La Motte-d’Aigues. | Oppède. | Pertuis. | Peypin-d’Aigues. | Puget. | Puyvert. | Robion. | Saignon. | Saint-Martin-de-Castillon. | Saint-Martin-de-la-Brasque. | Sannes. | Taillades. | La Tour-d’Aigues. | Vaugines. | Villelaure. | Vitrolles-en-Lubéron.

Terroir: James E. Wilson (1999, p.296) says the vineyards of the Côtes du Lubéron ‘are scattered in the valleys and along the lower [northern and southern] slopes of the Cretaceous Montagne de Lubéron.’ Calcareous soils. Cooler conditions and later harvests compared to the Rhône valley (Guide Hachette 2004, p.1071).

Vineyard area & wine production: 2002 170,427hl from 4,013ha (Guide Hachette 2004, p.1071). | 2013 3,317 ha/8,193 acres (Oxford Companion: 2015, p.431-2).

Viticulture: Cordon pruning is common (single usually, double in the case of Viognier and Syrah). 

Wines

Luberon Blanc AOC: From Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc (0-50%), Vermentino, Marsanne, Roussanne.

Luberon Rosé AOC: 80-100% authorised red grapes, 0-20% authorised white grapes. 

Luberon Rouge AOC: 60-100% Syrah & Grenache Noir, 0-40% Mourvedre & Cinsaut, 0-20% Carignan Noir.