Portraits of winemakers

DOMAINE DE L'OLIVETTE, JEAN-LUC DUMOUTIER: WINEGROWER IN BANDOL

From Wine Enthusiast to Professional

Jean-Luc Dumoutier’s passion for wine runs deep. Coming from a long line of winemakers, he took over the Domaine de l’Olivette, which has been in his family for over 200 years. This former business executive transitioned to winemaking at the age of 55, embarking on what he calls his "second life." A brief stint at school, some book-based training, and intensive hands-on practice allowed Jean-Luc to move from being a knowledgeable wine enthusiast to a professional winemaker.

Today, Jean-Luc proudly holds the title of "winemaker in Bandol," a role he has embraced for over 12 years. "Generations of my family have led the domain. Each has added its own touch. My contribution is to focus on producing quality wines," says Jean-Luc.

Hand-Harvested Grapes

The Domaine de l’Olivette spans 55 hectares of vines, with a dedicated team of twelve people working alongside Jean-Luc. During the harvest period— which began over a week ago—Jean-Luc employs 30 seasonal pickers. "Almost all of them are regulars," he notes.

At Domaine de l’Olivette, harvests are entirely done by hand, a requirement imposed by the Bandol appellation standards, regardless of the vineyard's size. "All my colleagues harvest by hand, which is a great practice as it allows sorting in the vineyard and enhances the quality of the grapes," Jean-Luc believes.

HVE Certification for Two Years

Deeply committed to environmental preservation, Domaine de l’Olivette has held the HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) certification for two years, and all vines are managed using reasoned viticulture.

Located in a sort of amphitheater between the hills and the Mediterranean Sea, the vineyard enjoys ideal climatic conditions. Its vines are shielded from harsh weather and benefit from ample sunlight. The mistral dries the vines, and morning maritime breezes bring freshness. "There’s a reason such a beautiful appellation is established here!" exclaims Jean-Luc.

"We Produce Grape Wines"

While the Bandol appellation is renowned for its rosés, it is primarily known for its reds, with Mourvèdre as the flagship grape. For Jean-Luc, it is essential to honor this unique characteristic of the Bandol AOC terroir. "We are fortunate to have quality grapes with substance, power, and aromas. The idea is to highlight all these features and create 'authentic' wines, even if the term is somewhat overused."

At Domaine de l’Olivette, you won’t find overly oaky wines but rather powerful wines with red fruit and spice notes, true to the terroir’s identity. "Our wines are what I call 'grape wines.' I don’t try to add anything to make them more aromatic, oaky, or acidic. I prefer to let them express themselves as they are."

Jean-Luc’s rosés are structured and spicy, fruity but less exuberant aromatically compared to some other Provence rosés. Although white wine production remains relatively modest in AOC Bandol, Jean-Luc offers a range made from local grape varieties: Clairette, Rolle, and Ugni Blanc.

Jazz & Contemporary Art at Domaine de l’Olivette

Jean-Luc doesn’t rely solely on the quality of his wines to stand out. Recognizing the region’s tourist potential, he gladly acts as a patron, regularly inviting contemporary artists from various backgrounds to exhibit at the domain.

For the past seven years, Jean-Luc and his wife Elisabeth have also hosted jazz musicians at the Domaine as part of the "Jazz en Vignes" event. These evenings are preceded by wine and Provençal food tastings…

The Domaine de l’Olivette also organizes summer exhibitions of sculptures and paintings as part of "Arts et Vins."