La Valette Boutique
Sanilhac-Sagriès, 30700 Gard, France
The vineyards around Uzès belong to the Duché d'Uzès appellation, one of the youngest in France and one of the most interesting. Rosé, red, white, grown on Mediterranean limestone.
The vineyards around Uzès fall within the Duché d'Uzès AOC, granted in 2013 and one of France's youngest appellations. The wines are mostly rosé, red and white, grown on Mediterranean limestone and garrigue soils in the Gard. Several domaines in the appellation welcome visitors for tastings. The harvest, or vendanges, runs through September — see our seasonal guide for the full picture. Uzès sits in the Occitanie region, on the western edge of Provence.
The appellation
Granted AOC status in 2013, the Duché d'Uzès appellation covers roughly thirty communes around the town, its vineyards visible from La Valette itself. The terroir is Mediterranean limestone with garrigue influence. Two more appellations are within easy reach: Costières de Nîmes to the south, on hotter terroir, known for richer reds and fresh rosés; and the southern Côtes du Rhône, which begins east of Uzès and reaches Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Lirac and Tavel within 45 minutes. Small estates almost always require an appointment — call or email ahead, a day is usually enough notice.
| Appellation | Terroir & character | Notable for |
|---|---|---|
| Duché d'Uzès | Mediterranean limestone, garrigue, ~30 communes around Uzès (AOC since 2013) | The local appellation — vineyards visible from La Valette |
| Costières de Nîmes | Hotter terroir, south of Nîmes | Richer reds, fresh rosés |
| Côtes du Rhône (southern) | Begins east of Uzès | Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Lirac, Tavel — within 45 minutes |
The landscape
The countryside between Uzès and Nîmes is striped with vines and punctuated by olive groves. The roads are quiet, the light is southern, and in late afternoon the limestone glows the same colour as the wine. A vineyard drive here is not a planned activity. It is what happens when you take the smaller road.
Where to taste
The wines of the Gard are best discovered at their source. Ask locally for current recommendations. Three estates make an easy starting point: Cave des Vignerons du Pont du Gard in Vers-Pont-du-Gard, a cooperative and the simplest first stop; Domaine du Grand Chemin in Sanilhac-Sagriès, minutes from La Valette, a small family estate producing Duché d'Uzès reds; and Domaine Natura in Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, biodynamic. To buy without visiting, Millésimes and La Cave du Duché in Uzès carry a wide selection, and most estates will pack a case for travel — check your airline's allowance before buying. For wine by the glass in town, our restaurant guide covers Uzès's wine bars in full.
Two restored apartments in a 17th-century stone house near Uzès, Gard, South of France. The vineyards begin at the edge of the village.
Send an enquiryThe vineyards around Uzès fall within the Duché d'Uzès AOC, granted in 2013 and one of the youngest appellations in France. The wines are mostly rosé, red and white, grown on Mediterranean limestone and garrigue terroir.
Yes. Several domaines in the Duché d'Uzès appellation accept visitors for tasting, though small estates almost always require an appointment — call or email ahead, a day is usually enough notice.