Clos Cibonne: A Historic Provençal Treasure

History & Heritage

Founded in 1797 when the Roux family purchased the estate from Jean-Baptiste de Cibon (a captain in the royal marines of Louis XVI), Clos Cibonne's modern identity was shaped in the 1930s by André Roux. This visionary winemaker planted the estate exclusively with the rare Tibouren grape and created the iconic labels still used today. His efforts led to Clos Cibonne's inclusion in the 1950s classification of 18 Cru Classés in Côtes de Provence. After experiencing challenges in the 1980s, the estate was revitalized when André's granddaughter Brigitte and her husband Claude Deforges took over in 1993. Today, fifth-generation winemaker Olivier Deforges manages both vineyard and cellar operations, maintaining the family's dedication to tradition while embracing sustainable practices.

Location & Terroir

Nestled in the village of Le Pradet within the Côtes de Provence appellation, Clos Cibonne's 15-hectare vineyard sits just 800 meters from the Mediterranean Sea between Toulon and Hyères. This privileged coastal location creates a unique microclimate perfect for growing the finicky Tibouren grape. The estate benefits from a bowl-shaped topography surrounded by hillsides that face the sea, channeling constant sea breezes that provide essential ventilation for the thin-skinned Tibouren. This natural air circulation prevents mildew and rot while allowing ideal grape maturation. The schist-rich soils, combined with abundant sunshine and direct maritime influence, create the perfect conditions for their signature wines.

The Rare Tibouren Grape

At the heart of Clos Cibonne's identity is their dedication to Tibouren, an ancient grape variety believed to originate in Mesopotamia before being propagated by the Greeks and later transported by Romans to Italy (where it's known as Rossese). Nearly extinct in Provence following the phylloxera crisis, Tibouren was rescued and championed by André Roux, who recognized its potential as the ideal grape for the region. Though challenging to cultivate due to uneven yields, disease susceptibility, and specific climate requirements, Tibouren thrives in Clos Cibonne's maritime environment. André Roux was also instrumental in having Tibouren included in the official list of accepted grape varieties for the Côtes de Provence appellation he helped create in 1973.

Distinctive Winemaking Approach

Clos Cibonne's winemaking practices combine traditional methods with careful preservation of their heritage. After hand-harvesting, the grapes are destemmed, pressed, and fermented in stainless steel tanks using wild yeasts. What sets their wines apart is the aging process - most of their wines mature for 12-18 months in century-old 5,000-liter foudres (large oak casks) dating back to 1903. These vessels aren't filled completely, allowing a flor layer (known as "fleurette") to develop on the wine's surface, similar to techniques used in Sherry and Jura wines. This unique combination of a rare grape variety and distinctive aging method creates wines with remarkable structure, complexity, and aging potential unlike typical Provençal wines.

Sustainable Practices

Under Olivier Deforges' leadership, Clos Cibonne has embraced organic viticulture over the past decade, achieving organic certification in 2019. The estate focuses on impeccable vineyard management and minimal intervention in the cellar, preserving natural balance and expression of their unique terroir. Working primarily as a family operation with minimal outside help, they maintain intimate knowledge of their land and vines through hands-on farming and careful stewardship of their historic property.

Wine Portfolio

Clos Cibonne produces about 100,000 bottles annually across several distinctive cuvées. Their historical flagship wines are the Tradition Rosé and Red, both composed of 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache (the latter added to comply with appellation rules). Their premium offerings include Cuvée des Vignettes (from older vines), Cuvée Caroline (aged in smaller 300-liter barrels), and Cuvée Olivier (a modern red blend with Syrah and Grenache). These wines are known for their gastronomic quality, aging potential, and unique character - displaying deeper colors, complex aromas, and textural richness unlike conventional Provençal rosés. The estate also produces a négociant line called "Tentations" using grapes from neighboring growers.

Cultural Impact

Clos Cibonne stands as a cultural counterpoint to the modern Provence rosé industry dominated by pale, stainless-steel fermented wines. Their continued dedication to traditional methods and the indigenous Tibouren grape represents an important preservation of Provençal winemaking heritage. The estate's wines have achieved cult status among wine enthusiasts worldwide who appreciate their distinctive character, depth, and connection to place. With their unchanged historic labels and commitment to quality over trends, Clos Cibonne offers an authentic taste of Provençal terroir that transcends fashion while honoring centuries of Mediterranean winemaking tradition.