Twenty five miles east of Avignon on the road to the picturesque Provencal towns of Apt and Cavaillon, the Domaine Pelisson is a small, artisanal operation producing great warm-hearted Cotes du Ventoux from a 4.5 hectare vineyard planted with the noble grape varieties of Grenache and Syrah.

The vineyard is cultivated on strict bio-dynamic principles. The use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers is banned. Odd sounding products like horn dung and nettle valerian are used on the vines, but to those sceptics who might scoff at these "cranky" methods, the message is that it works. Bio-dynamically reared vines, in the hands of the best vignerons, produce wines with greater complexity of aroma and purity of flavour. Are you still unconvinced? Our suggestion is that you try the very great wines of Domaine Huet in the Loire which are made using the same bio-dynamic principles as at Domaine Pelisson.

The regular cuvee is vinified and matured in enamel - lined tanks; a gorgeous, fruity Cotes du Ventoux and a versatile partner for anything from roast meats to Indian cuisine. The Cuvee Reserve, aged in 2 and 3 year old barriques, is more complex and vinous, a red to be savoured ‘a deux’ with a fine pheasant or partridge.

If you are ever in this part of Provence, the village of Coustellet has a splendid Sunday market from May to November, where you can buy an excellant range of local products - flowers, herbs, cheeses and the famous Cavaillon melons.