Frosty January at the Domaine

It has been a cold January in Provence, with lots of areas, including Cotignac, having snow. At the Domaine, however, we had a little bit of slushy snow but it didn’t settle. We’ve mainly had heavy frosts, turning the vines and surrounding forests and hills completely white. Patricia is continuing the painstaking work of pruning the vines by hand, luckily with gloves on!

Bea James, Client Relations Manager

The youngest Cronklet, George, was super excited to pull his snowboard out at home in Cotignac!

We’ve been making the most of the quieter time at the Domaine, renovating the vaulted dining room and working with our local artisans on the three remaining bathrooms in the Bastide, ready for spring, when we sincerely hope we’ll be able to safely welcome guests.

If you would like to enquire about making a provisional booking at Domaine Mirabeau in either our rustic five-bedroom farmhouse Le Mas or beautifully renovated villa La Bastide please contact Bea.

In the potager walled vegetable garden, the green beans, broad beans and garlic are just starting to peak through the soil. In our little farm opposite the vegetable patch Estate Manager Pascal has been spending lots of time taming the alpacas and taking Pablo out on walks around the Domaine in his headcollar. We’re still working on getting Vince to fully trust us!

January is usually a key month for the ‘black diamonds’ of Provence – black truffles. At the end of January, the beautiful village of Aups usually has its famous Black Truffle Festival, with truffle farmers and hunters selling their truffles, decadent truffle menus at surrounding restaurants and demonstrations of a pig hunting truffles. Enjoy this piece about last year’s Black Truffle Festival in Aups, including a recipe for truffles scrambled eggs, yum!

Our range