Grande Provence

Grand Provence is still a beautiful estate, but this change has taken away some of what made it special for us. A large part of the garden that used to be included in the bubbly and oyster bar experience is now reserved exclusively for wine tram guests, so non-tram visitors can no longer access that whole section. We’ve been regulars here for years, often stopping for bubbly and oysters and spending time beneath the big garden trees. As locals who have supported the estate for a long time, we were disheartened to find we couldn’t enjoy the space as before. It’s sad to see wine farms increasingly focus on tram visitors at the expense of local patrons. Locals help sustain these places year-round, and I’d like to see a better balance.

Bianca was the highlight of our visit to Grande Provence Vineyard. She was warm and poised, and explained the wines with knowledge and sincerity. Her descriptions were engaging without feeling boastful, and she anticipated our questions while making each guest feel welcome and noticed. With Bianca guiding us, tasting the wines felt like hearing their stories. The wines themselves were elegant and expressive, quietly making an impression. The estate is magnificent too, with vineyards stretching beneath the mountains and a sense of quiet confidence from the moment you pass through the gates. Bianca made an already wonderful visit truly memorable.

We stopped at Grande Provence on the pink line of the wine tram and loved the beautiful grounds and lovely staff. But I was disappointed to read recent posts from locals saying they can no longer use the whole estate, since large areas have been set aside only for tram visitors. Local supporters matter to the estate and to the community, and that connection shouldn’t be lost.

I hate leaving bad reviews, but this visit was a letdown from the moment we arrived. We walked out just five minutes into the tasting. I’d been here years ago and remembered it fondly, so saving it for the last stop on our wine-tasting trip made the disappointment even sharper. The venue is beautiful, but the tasting felt like a McDonald’s-style operation. We went back to Rickety Bridge afterward, where we’d had a fabulous time.