 |
AN ANCIENT YOUNG VINEYARD
Wine has been grown on the hills of Bellet since the days of the Ancient Greeks. It's probably one of the oldest but also smallest vineyard from France.
The early nineteenth century marked the most prosperous period of the vineyard since it covered more than 1 000ha. In 1834, it was a significant export product. Several pests have threatened with extinction. But the courage of winemakers, attached to their local wine, should be awarded the rank of Bellet wine "appellation d'origine contrôlée" (AOC) in 1941. The Bellet wines is now well know in the world.
In the year 2000, Bernard Nicoletti produced the first vintage from his new vineyard: ‘Domaine de Toasc’.
His grandfather Joseph came from Città di Castello in Umbria at the end of the 19th century to Nice where he founded a transport and excavation business on Avenue de Pessicart and sold sand and gravel. As a carter, he transported the vintners’ harvest in the nearby Var département and accepted payment in kind, with grapes, thereby learning all about winemaking.
His father Roger took over the business, developing the Civil Engineering activity. In 1996, the 2½-hectares Nicoletti estate produced 31 hectolitres of wine under the Bellet appellation.
In 2000, Bernard and Jacqueline Nicoletti built their cellar and a new Palladian-style home. The four Ancient columns marking the entrance to the wine-tasting hall and the Boutique are now the hallmark of the estate. |
|
|
|
|
GEMEA Interactive