The Wine Festival has set up on the port of Bandol

Bandol wine lovers have no doubt about it: the Bandol New Vintage Wine Festival is not just another fair. It is a unique meeting with dedicated winemakers who, in 1982, had the idea of this unusual winter presentation of their recently made young wines, still raw and yet already full of promise.

Since then, every first Sunday in December, the Mediterranean port from where, formerly, the precious barrels branded with the B for Bandol were shipped, is invaded by thousands of wine enthusiasts. They come to share the secret of Bandol wine and its legendary grape variety: the Mourvèdre.

From one stand to another, consumers as well as gastronomy and wine professionals can compare and appreciate the tendencies of the current year’s vintage, with slight differences resulting from each terroir and each winemaker’s art. These characters will assert themselves, in red wines, after maturing in wood for at least 18 months. This length of time is required by the Appellation regulations and necessary for the wine to blossom and become a great vintage suitable for ageing.

The Bandol Wine Festival is also remarkable for another reason: a new theme is selected each year, and it is a source of surprise for everyone. Although it is not directly linked with wine, which remains the undisputed king of the festival, it enables the winemakers to give free rein to their imagination and provides the visitors with dreams on a fine winter day in Provence.
A colourful ambulatory spectacle – an original composition on the theme of the year – is given on the quay and creates a festive and merry atmosphere.

Wine glasses engraved with the current year’s monogram are available at the entrance. Buying one gives free access to all stands and activities and allows its owner free tasting – moderation being recommended, of course.

All day long, the New Vintage Wine Festival organizes various events that visitors have become very fond of.

Bandol red wine samples ready to be tasted by a jury of experts

The sampling of the “Long-ageing Wines”
At the very opening of the festival, samples of wine are taken from the exhibiting winemakers’ barrels to be submitted to a jury of expert tasters (wine waiters, oenologists and journalists from food and wine magazines). Their difficult mission consists in selecting three samples of red wine possessing the best ageing potential. These three wines are officially proclaimed “Long-aging Wines” at the end of the festival. Connoisseurs will follow their evolution and taste them regularly as the years go by.

Tutored tasting at the Oenotheque tent

The Oenotheque tastings

The Oenotheque tent is a quiet place away from the boisterous crowd, where connoisseurs can take their time to discover and appreciate older vintage wines with the help of wine waiters from three Wine Waiters Associations of the South-East of France.

Gastronomy workshops
Gourmets particularly appreciate these workshops where they learn how to pair Bandol wines with food, to their palate’s delight.

Bandol wine tasting initiation sessions
These sessions are tutored by oenologists from the Union des Œnologistes de France. They are open to any visitor having purchased a wine glass engraved with the current year’s monogram.


Join us for a very special evening!:
Every year, on the Friday preceding the New Vintage Wine Festival, a lively, convivial winemaker’s dinner is organized. Bandol Appellation lovers gather together around the table to taste authentic collector’s vintages. It is a memorable experience. Don’t miss it!