The only private cellar in the commune of Saint-Tropez

The Lices Farm

The passion and demands of a team

The domain

In 2009, the Ferme des Lices cellar was extended to accommodate bottle storage and a small shop was added, open by appointment. Visitors can discover the wonderful history of La Ferme des Lices and soak up the flavors, aromas, and colors of the wines, which perfectly reflect the region's unique character.
This is the only private cellar in the commune of St-Tropez.
La Ferme des Lices now has all the assets in hand, with Laurence Berlemont supported by Patrick Deveaux, her partner who takes care of agricultural technical choices and crops.
Margaux Amidieu, sales representative, in charge of promoting wines in the Saint-Tropez area.

The vineyard

The vineyard, which covers 8 hectares, is planted with the following grape varieties:
Rolle exclusively for whites and rosés
Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault for the rosés and reds.

Domaine de la Ferme des Lices aims for high-end wines and only sells wines under its label whose quality meets its expectations. The first harvest took place in 2002, with rosé only. The 2003 vintage produced rosé and red. And since 2006, the wines have been available in three colors: rosé, red, and white. The white wines in the region remain relatively unknown; their harmony is based on a beautiful balance between freshness and richness.

The olive groves

Some 350 olive trees grow on 1 hectare of schist/sandy soils.
Around ten varieties make up the blend of olive oils from Ferme des Lices and are harvested manually, from the end of October to mid-November depending on the degree of maturity.
At the end of the year, after pressing and racking (to avoid any filtration) and after a few weeks of resting in vats, the first blends are bottled. This olive oil is the pure expression of the terroir of the Ferme des Lices.

Culture

Laurence Berlemont and her team are constantly striving for quality; they aim for excellence.
After the difficult task of restoring the vineyard, Ferme des Lices opted for organic farming, and the 2010 growing season was the starting point for this new direction, with a view to obtaining the organic label for the 2013 harvest.
Organic farming is, above all, a philosophy. The quest for quality begins in the vineyard. Respect for the soil, the vines, and the environment is the guiding principle of La Ferme des Lices, established with Patrick Deveaux.
Machines are being replaced by humans, and here again, human impact must remain very discreet. This biological approach involves first returning to the use of natural treatment products (sulfur, copper) to the detriment of aggressive phytosanitary products, then by a global reflection aimed at restricting all products.

Natural compost should replace fertilizers, and tilling the soil should replace weedkillers. In addition to its environmental benefits, tilling helps aerate and lighten the soil. The grass around vineyards provides fertile ground for biodiversity.
Another step is being studied: the possible intervention of horses for ploughing work.

All major decisions are made jointly by Laurence Berlemont and Patrick Deveaux. Together, they decide on the vineyard management, pruning, organic health protection, and then the optimal harvest time. The harvest is carried out manually with great respect for the grapes. After a very rigorous sorting process, the grapes are collected in small crates to preserve the integrity of the berries, which are then transported with great care to the winery where they then undergo a second sorting.

The wines

The same care is taken in winemaking to promote the authenticity of the wines.
Winemaking is traditional, and as in the vineyard, human intervention is carefully measured. Oenology provides assistance; the person remains attentive to the wine.
La Ferme des Lices produces unique wines, imbued with the imprint of the terroir, the personality and the expertise of Laurence Berlemont and her team.

The current production of the estate is approximately:
5,000 bottles of red wine
10,000 bottles of rosé
5,000 bottles of white wine

The assembly is a magical moment, sealing the work of a season, or even several years.
This is the decisive moment for choosing the vintages.
A quality policy often requires us to reject vintages that do not meet the standards we have set ourselves.
This is also when you can decide on the type of aging: vats or barrels, especially for reds...
When the blend is finally decided, it is carried out in the cellar a few weeks before bottling, so that the different original vats can blend smoothly...

The bottling date is chosen after tastings in vats and discussions. Here again, you have to be patient and wait for the optimal date (usually March), even if it is often tempting for Léa to want to introduce the new wines to the consumer quickly.
From the vine to the table: the requirements are the same and patience is essential.

The wonderful adventure of Ferme des Lices was born from the combination of Laurence Berlemont's spirit of initiative and the owners' desire to maintain life on their plots, serving as a link between the past and the future. It continues thanks to the passion and dedication of a team.