The story of Domaine Tempier begins in the early 20th century, though its roots go back further. In the 1880s, vineyards were devastated by phylloxera. Lucie Tempier’s great-grandmother Léonie reestablished them on resistant rootstock and built a modern cellar. In 1936, Lucie married Lucien Peyraud. Having trained at prestigious estates, Lucien joined Lucie at Domaine Tempier in 1940. They helped establish the Bandol Appellation in 1941, overcoming wartime hardship.
By 1943, Tempier bottled their first rosé wine and in 1951, released its inaugural red. Bandol’s reputation grew steadily as Lucien championed Mourvèdre—the heart and signature of Bandol reds. The couple launched single-vineyard bottlings like La Tourtine, La Migoua, and Cabassaou through the 1960s. Bandol was finally acknowledged for ageing potential alongside Burgundy, Bordeaux, and the Rhône Valley. Since then, Domaine Tempier became synonymous with French finesse, rural hospitality, and artistic flair. Today, the estate thrives under Lucie and Lucien’s descendants and stands on the brink of full biodynamic certification.
Bandol AOC & Domaine Tempier
Bandol is a small but impressive AOC along France’s Mediterranean coast, surrounded by the Dentelles de Montmirail hills. These limestone and clay slopes store heat and support terraced vineyards, benefiting from the cooling mistral winds. As the home to Mourvèdre, Bandol produces powerful, age-worthy wines with deep structure and dynamic fruit. Domaine Tempier is not just a producer but also a regional benchmark. Lucien Peyraud spearheaded the Bandol AOC in 1941, and since then, Domaine Tempier has driven quality, vineyard expansion, and public awareness. The estate’s unwavering focus on Mourvèdre and mature terroir-driven reds helped cement Bandol’s reputation for longevity and expression.
