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Key figures

Origin and history

Château Volterra is a wine estate located in Ramatuelle, in the Var, in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Built between 1896 and 1908 in a style inspired by Tuscan villas, it was originally built by an English aristocrat for his son. The stones, extracted from the heading of the Dramont in the Esterel, were transported by tropezian tartans and then by mules along the steep coast. The castle, surrounded by terraced gardens and a six-hectare vineyard, dominates the Mediterranean from the Cap Camarat plateau.

In 1926, the estate was acquired by Léon Volterra, an impresario from Paris and a prominent figure in the world of entertainment, who offered to his wife, the actress Simone Volterra. Owner of Parisian theatres such as the Casino de Paris or the Lido, Léon Volterra was also close to artists such as Mistinguett and Maurice Chevalier. Simone Volterra, who became deputy mayor of Saint-Tropez, transformed the castle into a meeting place for famous people of the 1930s-1940s, including Raimu, Josephine Baker, Jean Cocteau and resistance during the war. After their separation, Simone lived there until his death in 1989, perpetuating his role as cultural patron.

The vineyard, planted almost a century ago, was abandoned in the 1990s before being restored in 1999 by Canadian investors. The vines, cultivated on a rich mineral soil, produce wines in AOC Côtes-de-Provence, benefiting from a maritime climate and a renovated cellar equipped with oak vats and thermal control systems. The cellar, built in the early twentieth century, uses gravity to transfer grapes and wine, thus preserving their quality.

The castle, abandoned after the death of Simone Volterra, served as a setting for television and film productions in the 1990s, such as The Burned Hearts or The Old One who walked in the sea with Jeanne Moreau. Repurchased in 1999, it was completely restored, including the renovation of the Mediterranean gardens on terraces, embellished with lavender, rosemary, olive trees and pine pigniers. A historic trail, dug for the transport of materials, always leads to a small natural haven by the sea.

The gardens of Château Volterra reflect a harmonious transition between the linear architecture of the building and the Mediterranean wild vegetation. A central fountain, surrounded by lavender and rosemary hedges, evokes a Italian garden, while waterfall terraces offer stunning views of the sea. The patios, accessible from the salons, were once reception places for the artistic and political elite, today preserved for their original elegance.

Today, the Château Volterra remains a symbol of the wine and cultural heritage of the peninsula of Saint Tropez. Combining Tuscan history, architecture and wine production, it perpetuates the legacy of its former owners while opening up to a new era of restoration and restoration of its terroir.

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