Organic Farming for Superior Wines: Château la Tour de l’Évêque Reshaping Land and Wine

The Sumeire family’s connection to the Font-Freye estate began in 1933 when they acquired this expansive property near Pierrefeu in the Var region of France. With a rich history dating back to the archbishops of Toulon, this estate carries two names that reflect its long-standing past: Château la Tour de l’Evêque and Château la Tour Sainte Anne. Its significance extends to the history of Provence and France, with Queen Mary, Countess of Provence, granting privileges to the inhabitants of the village of Cuers on this land. It is believed that Queen Jeanne, the Queen of Naples and sister of King René, also spent time at the estate.

Upon arrival at Château la Tour de l’Evêque, visitors are greeted by the enchanting Dolphins’ fountain and its beautiful water feature. Legend has it that in the olden days, there was no water on the estate because the lady of the manor, when her husband left for the crusades, poisoned the well with her tears. 

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Centuries later, Gabriel Sumeire put an end to this curse. With his visionary genius, he connected the property to the abundantly flowing Font-Freye spring, directing the water by gravity to the Dolphins’ fountain.

Roger Sumeire, who took over the family estates in 1946, worked in perfect harmony with his father Gabriel. Together, they embarked on extensive projects, including the excavation of hills to construct dry-stone walled terraces. Continuing the family’s legacy, Régine Sumeire initiated a significant undertaking at the end of 2010—a new cellar construction project aimed at gravity-based vinification and bottling. The new cellar was inaugurated in time for the 2011 harvest.

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The Sumeire family’s philosophy is rooted in a long tradition centered around quality and organic farming. Vinification techniques prioritize the preservation of the estate’s terroir. Located in the hilly valley of the Maurettes, the vineyards span 78 hectares and consist of shaly soil derived from Silurian layers and Permian red sandstone. The average age of the vines is twenty years, and they encompass various black varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, as well as white varieties like Rolle, Sémillon, and Ugni Blanc.

To maintain the integrity of the terroir, the Sumeire family employs specific practices. Soil cultivation is carried out through plowing without the use of chemical weed-killers. Infusions and biodynamic preparations are applied to some plots, combined with copper and sulfur treatments. Manual harvesting is crucial, and it is conducted in the early hours of the morning to ensure the grapes are picked at their freshest. 

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The staff, trained through generations, meticulously selects the grapes during harvest. Refrigerated trucks are used to maintain the grapes at optimal temperatures, preventing oxidation. Manual harvesting is particularly significant for the vinification process of their rosé and white wines, as the grapes are pressed in whole bunches.

The family’s focus revolves around the development and modernization of their estates to enhance production, storage, and exportation of their wines while maintaining the highest standards of quality and innovation. The Sumeire family takes pride in their terroir, and their dedicated team of men and women work passionately and respectfully across their estates.

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