List of products by brand CHATEAU SIMONE

Perched on the north-facing hillsides of Meyreuil, east of Aix-en-Provence, Château Simone farms 23 hectares at the heart of AOC Palette — one of Provence's smallest and most discreet appellations. Once the property of the Grands Carmes monks in the sixteenth century, the estate passed to Nicolas-Toussaint Rougier in 1830; it was his great-grandson Jean Rougier who secured the AOC Palette classification in 1948, cementing the estate's place in Provençal wine history. At Halles Quercamps, we have selected this estate for the singular character of its calcaire de Langesse soils, the rigour of the Rougier family across four generations, and the rare ageing potential of its reds, whites and rosés. A Provence address that needs no introduction to those already in the know.

Château Simone is, in every meaningful sense, the AOC Palette. Nestled in the limestone hills of Meyreuil to the east of Aix-en-Provence, this estate holds the near-entirety of one of France's most intimate appellations — 23 hectares of vines with a continuous history stretching back to 1830.

A history rooted in stone: from the Grands Carmes to the Rougier family

The story of Château Simone reaches back well before its modern chapter. In the sixteenth century, these hillsides above Meyreuil belonged to the Grands Carmes monks of Aix-en-Provence, who recognised early the quality of this sheltered, north-facing terrain. In 1830, Nicolas-Toussaint Rougier acquired the property, beginning a family stewardship that now spans nearly two centuries. It was Jean Rougier, the fourth generation, who achieved what would define the estate's legacy: in 1948, he obtained the AOC Palette classification, one of the earliest and most hard-won appellations in Provence. Today, Jean-François Rougier continues that tradition, maintaining the estate's character with the same quiet determination that has always distinguished the family.

Terroir: limestone, altitude and a rare north-facing aspect

What makes Château Simone genuinely singular is its terroir. The vines grow on a north-facing slope at between 150 and 200 metres altitude — an orientation almost unheard of in Provence, where producers typically seek maximum sun exposure. Here, that cooler aspect slows ripening, preserving natural acidity and aromatic finesse that warmer sites simply cannot replicate. The soils are composed of lacustrine limestone scree, clays, pebbles and gravels from the calcaire de Langesse formation: well-drained, mineral-rich, and deeply expressive. The combination of altitude, aspect and geology produces wines of structure and longevity that stand apart from the broader Provençal offer.

Organic conversion and traditional viticulture

The estate is currently engaged in organic conversion, a commitment that reflects both the Rougier family's respect for their land and the growing rigour of their viticultural approach. The grape varieties planted — Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault for the reds and rosés, and Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Ugni Blanc for the whites — are the traditional varieties of Provence, cultivated here with yields kept deliberately modest to concentrate the character of the terroir.

The wine range: red, white and rosé from AOC Palette

Château Simone produces three colours under the AOC Palette appellation, each reflecting the estate's distinctive terroir and unhurried approach to winemaking:

  • Red: structured, mineral and built for the cellar, with Grenache and Mourvèdre at its core; capable of ageing gracefully over a decade or more
  • White: one of Provence's most serious whites, driven by Clairette and Grenache Blanc, with a saline, stony character and genuine ageing potential
  • Rosé: a world apart from the pale, early-drinking style that dominates Provence; deeper in colour and substance, with the structure to develop in bottle

Why we have selected Château Simone

We have listed Château Simone at Halles Quercamps for three reasons that rarely converge in a single estate. First, the terroir is genuinely irreplaceable: the calcaire de Langesse soils and north-facing aspect of Meyreuil produce wines with a mineral tension and longevity that no other Provençal address can match. Second, the Rougier family's commitment — four generations of unbroken stewardship, now reinforced by organic conversion — gives us full confidence in the consistency and integrity of every vintage. Third, and perhaps most importantly for our customers, these wines reward patience: the reds and whites of Château Simone are among the very few Provençal bottles we would recommend laying down with genuine confidence. We suggest them to collectors building a cellar, to enthusiasts seeking an alternative to Burgundy or the Rhône, and to anyone who appreciates a wine with a story that can be verified in every glass. At table, the red pairs beautifully with slow-roasted lamb or aged Provençal cheeses; the white is exceptional alongside grilled sea bass or a bouillabaisse.

Discover all wines from this estate

Browse the full selection of Château Simone wines — red, white and rosé from AOC Palette — listed below, with tasting notes and vintage availability from our team.

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