A Provençale Villa and Vineyard in the Heart of Côtes-du-Rhone

Settled amongst the vines of the Rhone Valley, where the fresh air is perfumed with the scent of the surrounding fruit orchards and olive groves, you’ll find Nick and Sabine’s slice of paradise in France’s Côtes du Rhône region.

A Provençale Villa and Vineyard in the Heart of Côtes-du-Rhone

Renting a villa in Provence.Provence villa rental and Cotes-du- Rhone wine

Converted stables that date from the 19th century have been home to Sabine’s family for over three generations. The main house, which comprises five bedrooms spread over two wings and includes a private garden and swimming pool, has maintained its charm while integrating modern comforts over the years. This is thanks to Nick and Sabine, who made a “slightly crazy bet” in the early 1980s when they decided to take over the property, when they realized no one else in the family was interested in keeping it up.

Provence Cotes-du-Rhone

Since then, Nick has been dedicated to overseeing the working vineyard, whose vines surround the family house, while Sabine welcomes tourists and manages the dream house as a rental property for lucky visitors. The arrangement almost seems destined to come about, with Sabine keeping the history of her family alive and Nick using his experience in Bordeaux and Burgundy vineyards in his youth – a way to learn French during his early days in France – in his everyday life as a winemaker.

A Provençale Villa and Vineyard in the Heart of Côtes-du-Rhone

Nick and Sabine are proud of their wine, which they are dedicated to making “as natural as possible.” L’Ameillaud Domaine produces structured wines from grapes farmed in a way that is respectful of nature and the region’s terroir. The vineyard is made up of typical Rhone Valley varietals including Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvèdre, which Nick describes as having “great aromatic potential” that results in bottles that can be opened and enjoyed immediately, but also kept to age gracefully over time.

Wine isn’t the only reason travellers from around the world flock to this region. While certainly biased, Nick and Sabine describe the Vaucluse area as undeniably charming, with “a light that is gorgeous at any time of the day.” Their home is surrounded by charming villages such a Seguret, located only 3 miles (5 km) away, which is classed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.

A Provençale Villa and Vineyard in the Heart of Côtes-du-Rhone

The area is rife with alluring, luxurious specialties, including “black diamond” winter truffles, world-renowned wines, Michelin-star restaurants, and fantastic regional cheeses. Culture events abound, especially in the summertime when various festivals bring music, dance, and theater to local venues.

A Provencale Villa and Vineyard

Sporty types will enjoy a variety of active options, including hiking on Mont Ventoux as you climb to get stunning views of the Alps. Both families and hard cyclists will get their fill of biking as they explore the countryside on two wheels. Rock climbing and bouldering are also popular outdoor activities in this mountainous region.

A Provençale Villa and Vineyard in the Heart of Côtes-du-Rhone

Whether you’re an oenophile or an athlete, on a romantic getaway or en famille, Carianne is a great initiation to the delights and charms of Southeastern France, a region that Nick and Sabine know by heart. Stop by and visit the friendly couple for a wine tasting during the week or rent their home for a holiday in Paradise!

Wine tasting in Provence

Provence villa and Wine Tasting

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Written by Emily Dilling for the HiP Paris Blog. All images courtesy of the Owners of the Cairanne Villa. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

WRITTEN BY

Emily Dilling

Emily Dilling is a France based writer and author of My Paris Market Cookbook: A Culinary Tour of French Flavors and Seasonal Recipes. In 2005 Emily moved to Paris from her native California and began exploring the cities markets, restaurants, and cafés. In 2010 she founded the blog Paris Paysanne, where she writes about her favorite addresses and artisans in the city. Emily currently lives in the Loir-et-Cher region of France, where she writes and works in the grapevines.

2 Comments

  1. My husband and I stayed at Cairanne and had the most wonderful time!! Nick and Sabine have every right to be proud and happy about what they have created and shared with us….we traveled all around the local area and constantly found hidden corners, food, and wine to delight us…truly a memorable experience! Is there anything better than wandering into a comfortable French village, picking up our baguette and some cheese for the day and just generally getting lost, finishing the day with a lovely bottle of wine and looking out over a lovely courtyard and the vineyard beyond? Haven in Paris have a real winner here and a delightful host and hostess in Nick and Sabine…we can’t wait to revisit at a time where it is warm enough to use the pool!!
    Cheers,
    Meredith

    1. Meredith,

      We are so happy to hear you had such a memorable time at Cairanne! It truly is a special place, and Nick & Sabine are lovely hosts. We hope you will have the opportunity to visit again. Thank you for sharing your story! 🙂

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