Domaine La Courtade is based in Provence, in the Var department of southeastern France. The domaine produces white wines under the Var IGP designation, drawing from the distinctive terroir of this Mediterranean region.

The Var IGP encompasses the islands and coastal areas of Provence, including the Îles d'Hyères (Porquerolles, Port-Cros, and Levant). This maritime location provides cooling influences that preserve acidity in white wines, a critical characteristic for quality production in the warm south. Rolle, the primary white grape variety, thrives in these conditions and develops aromatic profiles that reflect the region's sea-facing exposure and mineral-rich soils.

Domaine La Courtade's current range focuses on Rolle-based whites from the Îles de Porquerolles. This grape—also known as Vermentino in Italy—is the traditional white variety of Provence and produces dry, crisp wines with citrus and herbal characteristics suited to the Mediterranean climate.

Provence spans southeastern France along the Mediterranean coast, stretching from the Italian border west to the Rhône delta. This ancient wine region produces approximately 170 million bottles annually, with rosé wines comprising roughly 90% of total production. The region encompasses eight appellations, including Côtes de Provence, Bandol, and Cassis, distributed across varied landscapes from coastal plains to limestone hills and mountainous terrain.

The Mediterranean climate provides abundant sunshine, warm temperatures, and the cooling influence of the mistral wind, which helps maintain acidity and reduces disease pressure in the vineyards. Soils vary significantly across the region, from limestone and clay in the hills to sandy coastal areas and schist in certain zones. Côtes de Provence represents the largest appellation, while Bandol focuses on structured reds from Mourvèdre, and Cassis specializes in distinctive white wines from local varieties.

Traditional grape varieties dominate plantings, with Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah forming the backbone of most rosé blends, often complemented by Mourvèdre and Tibouren. White wines typically feature Rolle (Vermentino), Clairette, and Ugni Blanc, while reds emphasize Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Provençal rosés are characterized by their pale salmon color, achieved through minimal skin contact and immediate pressing, resulting in fresh, dry wines with delicate fruit flavors and mineral notes that reflect the region's diverse terroir.

Var IGP is a regional wine designation covering the Var département in southeastern France's Provence region. This Indication Géographique Protégée encompasses a large territory extending from the Mediterranean coast inland to more mountainous areas, including parts of the Côte de Provence and various islands along the Riviera.

The appellation benefits from the Mediterranean climate typical of Provence, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The diverse terroir includes coastal vineyards with limestone and sandy soils, as well as inland sites with clay and schist formations. The IGP status allows for considerable flexibility in grape variety selection, permitting both traditional Provençal varieties like Rolle (Vermentino) and international varieties such as Pinot Noir that might not be allowed under stricter AOC regulations.

Wines from Var IGP reflect this geographic and varietal diversity, ranging from crisp whites made from Rolle that capture the maritime influence of coastal vineyards to lighter reds from varieties like Pinot Noir that benefit from the region's sunny climate while maintaining freshness. The appellation's broad geographic scope and flexible regulations allow winemakers to explore different terroirs and grape combinations within the greater Provençal context.