Founded in 1992 by Philippe Bieler, the Routas estate was purchased in 2005 by Scottish entrepreneur Sir David Murray, former Chairman of the Glasgow Rangers Football Club.  The 642 acre property includes 135 acres of strategically planted vine parcels scattered throughout the rocky, heavily-wooded terrain in this unspoiled, high-elevation sector of Provence.

Today, Sir David's son Keith directs Routas' international commercial affairs from offices in Edinburgh and New York, while day-to-day operations in Provence are handled by former Domaine Ott enologist Jean-Louis Bavay and Vineyard Manager Philippe Saraciva.  Saraciva grew up in the Var and joined Routas right out of viticulture/enology school.  Both men made the transition from Routas' former ownership.  While Château Routas' stellar reputation for Provence rosé continues under the Murray family, Bavay also produces an excellent range of red and white wines.  The estate's vin de garde is called L'Infernet, named for the dramatic 885 foot gorge on the estate called Le Trou de L'Infernet (the devil's hole).  A blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon, L'Infernet's generous dark berry character is accented by scents of garrigue and herbes de Provence. Jean-Louis also makes an aromatically complex white wine based on Viognier from Condrieu cuttings called Coquelicot, the name of the Var's ubiquitous red poppy.

website: www.chateauroutas.com