Wine tasting on the French Riviera: vineyard 20 minutes from Nice

St Jeannet High Hills Wine Estate

The Domaine des Hautes Collines, in Saint-Jeannet (06), is the only IGP vineyard in the Alpes-Maritimes offering guided tastings 20 minutes from Nice. 5 options €15 to €50 per person, Available by reservation all year round. A unique wine tourism experience between sea and mountains.

The essentials

  • Vineyard IGP Alpes-Maritimes, organic farming, at an altitude of 300-400 m
  • 9 artisanal wines red, white, rosé, sweet
  • 5 formulas tasting, from €15 to €50 per person
  • 20 minutes from Nice, open all year round from Monday to Saturday
  • Reservation : 06 08 96 24 60 or online
Summary

Why do a wine tasting on the French Riviera?

The French Riviera is much more than beaches and luxury hotels. It's also a thousand-year-old wine-growing region, often overlooked, which deserves to be discovered in ways other than through a restaurant menu.

To do a wine tasting here is:

  • Get off the beaten track and discover the hinterland of Nice
  • Understanding what makes local wines unique (altitude, Mediterranean microclimate, artisanal methods)
  • Enjoy an authentic experience, far from the hustle and bustle of the coast
  • Bringing back bottles that can't be found anywhere else

Whether you are a tourist passing through or a resident of the region, a vineyard visit on the French Riviera stands out as one of the best activities to do around Nice.

The Saint-Jeannet vineyard: a rare find in the Alpes-Maritimes

Saint-Jeannet is a hilltop village in the hinterland of Nice, nestled at the foot of the famous Baou, about twenty kilometers from Nice. It is here that the Domaine des Hautes Collines de la Côte d'Azur, one of the few vineyards still operating in the Alpes-Maritimes.

Georges Rasse planted his first vines in 2000, on land cultivated since Roman times. The ruins of an ancient wine press still bear witness to this today. With his son Mathias, They perpetuate a traditional craft passed down from generation to generation.

What makes this domain truly unique:

  • IGP Alpes-Maritimes, a rare protected geographical indication in the department
  • Vines cultivated in organic farming, at an altitude of 300-400 meters
  • An age-old winemaking technique: the wines are naturally stabilized in glass demijohns exposed to the sun, without sulfites or additives
  • The labels, unique each year, are creations of Rémy Rasse, painter and brother of Georges

The result: wines with a strong character, with aromas not found elsewhere on the French Riviera.

Our 9 artisanal wines: what you will discover

The Domaine des Hautes Collines range covers all colours, from the freshest to the most complex:

The reds

  • The Red Wine Press Structured and harmonious, aged in oak barrels, a tribute to the estate's 2000-year history
  • Cuvée Longo Maï : selection of the best grapes, a vintage for long aging, whose Provençal name means "may it last a long time"«

The whites

  • The White Wine Press : fresh and mineral, with notes of citrus and white flowers
  • Prestige White Our most refined white wine, made from a selection of exceptionally ripe grapes

Rosé wines

  • The Rosé Press Fruity and light, perfect for a Mediterranean aperitif
  • Saint-Jeannet tile A unique local tradition, coppery color and Madeira aromas, aged in glass demijohns in the sun and then in oak barrels

The naturally soft

  • Golden Muscat : a sweet wine with aromas of honey, exotic fruits and orange blossom
  • Late Harvest : rich and dense, with notes of honey and candied apricot
  • The Rancio : a great meditation wine, aged for decades, with aromas of nuts and caramel
🌿 Organic & natural wines — All our vintages are certified organic. THE Tile White, THE Tile-colored Rosé and the Red Roman Wine Press are in addition to natural wines : without sulfites or added inputs.

Each vintage tells a story. During the tasting, Georges will explain the winemaking choices behind each bottle.

Find your perfect vintage for the occasion

🍷 Find your vintage

Click on the occasion that suits you to discover the recommended wines from the estate.

🥂 Drinks on the terrace
Opt for a Rosé Press, Fruity and light, perfect for a Mediterranean aperitif. For a more exotic touch, the Golden Muscat Served very chilled, it will surprise your guests with its aromas of honey and orange blossom.
🐟 Fish starter or main course
THE White Press It brings freshness and minerality, ideal on grilled fish or a seafood platter. For more elaborate dishes (fish in sauce, risotto), the Prestige White with its richer structure will do wonders.
🥩 Meat, game or stew
THE Red Press, Structured and harmonious, it pairs perfectly with duck breast, lamb, or stews. For a special occasion, bring out the Cuvée Longo Maï, A wine for aging with a beautiful aromatic complexity.
🧀 Cheese platter
THE Saint-Jeannet tile, With its coppery hue and Madeira aromas, it pairs magically with aged cheeses (Comté, Roquefort). For mild or goat cheeses, opt instead for the Rosé Press or the White Press.
🍰 Dessert or foie gras
THE Late Harvest With their notes of honey and candied apricot, they enhance fruit desserts, tarts, and foie gras. Golden Muscat It is also an excellent companion for more exotic desserts.
🍂 Meditation / Digestive
For a moment of pure, contemplative tasting, the Rancio It is unique: a great meditation wine aged for decades, with aromas of nuts, caramel, and dried fruit. A rare experience to be sipped slowly, like an old port.

During your tasting at the estate, Georges Rasse will personally guide you in choosing your wines according to your tastes.

Tasting packages

Five packages are available, tailored to all profiles and budgets:

Formula Included Duration Price
Tour + Tasting Wine cellar, 3 wines reviewed ~45 min €15/person.
Tour + Tasting + Cheeses Wine cellar, 5 wines, cheese board ~1h15 €25/person.
Tour + Tasting + Charcuterie & Cheeses Wine cellar, 5 wines, mixed platter ~1h30 €28/person.
A Stroll Through the Vineyards Vineyard, picnic, 5 wines ~2h €42/person.
Complete Private Tour Private tasting, 9 wines, accompaniments ~2h30 €50/person.

Of the customized group packages are also available for works councils, hen/stag parties, seminars or associations.

Reservation required, All visits are by appointment only.

Want to discover our 9 vintages?

Book my tasting →

Why choose a vineyard rather than a wine cellar in the city?

A wine shop in Nice or Cannes offers good wines. But a tasting at the vineyard is a completely different experience:

  • YOU meet the winemaker himself, who explains each vintage to you with passion
  • You see the vineyards, the cellar, the demijohns in the sun. Wine suddenly takes on its full meaning.
  • You enjoy in a exceptional natural setting, with a view of the Mediterranean
  • You buy directly from the source, at a fair price, wines that you won't find anywhere else.

Wine tourism on the French Riviera is also about this: a timeless interlude, 20 minutes from the noise of the city.

Access from Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Antibes, Menton

Domaine des Hautes Collines is easily accessible from all over the French Riviera. Free parking on site.

📍 Find your way

The Domaine des Hautes Collines is located at Saint-Jeannet, in the hinterland of Nice. Distances from the main cities of the French Riviera:

From Car Distance
Nice (city center) ~20 min 22 km
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport ~30 min 25 km
Antibes ~35 min 30 km
Cannes ~45 min 42 km
Monaco ~45 min 35 km
Chin ~55 min 52 km

Booking and practical information

Domaine des Hautes Collines
800 Chemin des Sausses, 06640 Saint-Jeannet

Hours of operation : Monday – Saturday: 9am – 12pm / 2:30pm – 7pm. Sunday: 9am – 12pm.

All visits and tastings are done reservation required. It is advisable to book several days in advance, especially during peak season (July-August) and for groups.

Ready to come and visit us?

Choose my package and book →

FAQ – Wine tasting on the French Riviera

Do you need to book in advance to come and taste the wine at the vineyard?
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Yes, all visits and tastings are by appointment only. You can book by phone at 06 08 96 24 60, by email at resa.hautescollines@gmail.com or via the online form.
How much does a tasting at Domaine des Hautes Collines cost?
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The formulas range from €15/person (visit + tasting of 3 wines) at €50/person For a complete private tour including a tasting of the 9 vintages and accompaniments. The most popular option, with a cheese board, is €25 per person.
Is the vineyard open all year round?
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Yes, the estate welcomes visitors all year round, from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 12pm and from 2:30pm to 7pm, and on Sunday morning from 9am to 12pm by reservation.
Can we buy the wines on site?
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Yes, direct sales at the estate are possible. Half of the production is sold on-site. This is an opportunity to acquire wines that are unavailable outside the region.
Is the vineyard suitable for groups?
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Absolutely. Tailor-made group packages are available for company outings, hen/stag parties, seminars, associations, and other events. A quote can be requested directly from the venue.
What is the best time of year to visit?
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The estate is open year-round. Spring and autumn offer exceptional light and mild temperatures. The harvest period (September-October) is particularly magical for understanding the work involved in cultivating the vines. In summer, morning visits are recommended.
Is there parking on site?
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Yes, free parking is available directly on the estate, near the winery and tasting room.

Useful sources

Georges Rasse, winemaker at Domaine des Hautes Collines

About the author

Georges Rasse

A passionate winemaker, founder of Domaine des Hautes Collines in Saint-Jeannet. He planted his first vines in 2000 on the heights of the Alpes-Maritimes and, with his son Mathias, perpetuates a unique artisanal know-how: 9 cuvées in organic farming, including the famous natural stabilization in the sun, an old tradition of Saint-Jeannet.


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