Chateau de Palayson is a wine producing estate with significant historical importance. Located in Roquebrune sur Argens, Chateau de Palayson is nestled against the Roche de Roquebrune (red rocks of Roquebrune), west of Nice and between Cannes and of St. Tropez.

Most recently purchased in 1999 by a native of Washington, DC and a native of Stockholm, Sweden, the Chateau de Palayson estate includes a chateau (dating back to ca. the year 1500), twin chapels (dating back to ca. the year 1000), the foundation of a Roman mausoleum (dating back to ca. the year 0), ancient walls of the Villa Palaio (dating back to ca. 200 BC) and old wine caves.

Since the year 2000, extensive renovation (and restoration wherever possible) has been under way throughout the entire Chateau de Palayson estate. Formal gardens have been created while the wine caves have been updated to include the latest in new equipment and technology.

Encompassing over 17 hectares with each supporting approximately 7,500 plants, the majority of the vineyard supplies high-density planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah while an area of 1 hectare nurtures 50-year-old Grenache.

HISTORY

Around the year 200 BC, Villa Palaio (today Chateau de Palayson) was situated along the Via Aurelia, the main road between Rome and Arles. Villa Palaio was a large estate with approximately 220,000 acres of fertile land in close proximity to the Argens River, which stretches south from the town of Draguignan to the Mediterranean Sea.

At the beginning of the 1st century, a mausoleum was established on the premises of Villa Palaio. This mausoleum, which is still visible today, is thought to have commemorated a figure of significant importance from the time of Emperor Augustus. Further clues and artifacts dating back to the early 1st century have been unearthed, including numerous carved stones depicting Roman figures. Each find has been carefully inspected and documented by a team of archeologists and every effort has been made to preserve and display these priceless treasures of the past.

During the 11th century, the monks of the St. Victor Order established a monastery and the twin chapels of St. Marie and St. Jean. In the year 1054, the monks began planting vines, launching the era of wine making that continues today at Chateau de Palayson.