The Historic Rosé Producer Has Never Chased Trends.
For many wine lovers in the United States and beyond, Domaines Ott rosé—in its iconic amphora-shaped bottle—influenced their impression of one of the essential products of Provence. The plurality of Domaines Ott is derived from three properties: historic Château Romassan in Bandol; Clos Mireille, a former monastery at La Londe Les Maures; and the windswept flagship Château de Selle in Taradeau.
“Domaines Ott has been producing rosé for more than 100 years,” says Cyprien Roy, communications manager at Maisons Marques & Domaines USA, Inc. representing Louis Roederer, owner of Domaines Ott. Though often credited for elevating the popularity of high-end Provençal rosé around the world, the company is “not in it for producing wines that are trendy,” says Roy.
Domaines Ott was founded in 1912 by Marcel Ott, a young agronomist from Alsace who found enough viticultural inspiration in Provence to set down the roots that would become the trio of domaines directed today by fourth-generation family member Jean-François Ott. In 2004, the estates joined Louis Roederer, a move that Roy says was “not to change but to elevate” a vision that has been cultivated over decades.
“Provence is a matter of context,” says Roy, adding that the South of France experience can be anchored from wherever a bottle is opened. Whether someone tries Domaines Ott. at a beach club in The Hamptons or at one of the three hospitable estates while traveling through Provence, fans appreciate that there’s substance built into these wines. “There’s a real story there,” says Roy.
The story is one of artisanal quality, wines that are made with purity where they are grown. Domaines Ott hasn’t historically relied on chemicals or manipulations, certified at the highest level HVE (high environmental value). Since 2019, the three domaines have been in conversion for Ecocert-certified organic status (under the AB label in France) and 2022 will be the first certified organic vintage.
From ultra-premium Étoile—a bottle of rosé representing the best of all three domaines—to the more approachable tricolor BY.OTT line, all wines are estate-crafted and quality devoted. BY.OTT wines are sourced 50% by HVE-certified partners, while all other wines are estate-grown. In addition to rosé wines, Domaines Ott also produces the iconic Sémillon-based white from Clos Mireille, the Côtes de Provence red from Château de Selle (not imported to the U.S.), and the Bandol red from Château Romassan.
Thanks to a terroir-expressive range of rosé, Domaines Ott has established itself by having “solid distribution when and where it matters,” according to Roy. Thanks to this level of presence in the global market, these wines tell the story of a region and are “intrinsically tied to Provence,” he says. “Domaines Ott has been here and will continue to be here.”
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Published: November 3, 2022
