Domaine Milan is a producer of elegant organic wines from Provence and occupies prime real estate in the holiday town of St Remy de Provence. The immaculate vineyards are framed by both suburban estates and the famous nearby Chaîne des Alpilles mountains that provide climatic protection for the vineyards.
Here, the gregarious Henri Milan along with his son Théo crafts elegant wines using no chemicals, no additives, no commercial yeasts and, in some cases, no added sulphur.
These organic wines have been very successful in Australia and we have been working with them and visiting their delightful winery for many years now.
The sulphur-free wines have been very popular and we have ordered as many as we can.
2022 Update: The Milan family has just taken over the viticulture of a 12 hectare plot of 40 year old vines near the town of Orgon in the stunningly beautiful Les Alpilles mountains. The vines include Carignan, Grenache Noir and Syrah . We hope that these extra vines help to shield the family from the problems brought about by increased problems caused by climate change!
Domaine Milan Vin de France Pet’Nat Rosé 2023
This is a dry sparkling wine from the Milan stable with this one usually being fermented from Grenache Noir, Muscat and a little Alicante which were all grown on clay and limestone in their Eyragues vineyard.
This is made in a true pet nat style with no sulphur added as can be seen from the “sans soufre ajouté” text that is prominently displayed on the front label.
It is a light, lingering, savoury drink with excellent length. It has a fruity flavour with hints of watermelon juice coming through.
This wine is very good for matching to a wide range of foods or for just sipping in the sun.
We often, on our trips to France, join the Milan family for lunch or a glass of wine at their winery and cellar door which looks out on the dramatic Alpilles mountains. It is always a relaxing and enjoyable combination of discussion and exploration of the various wines available here.
RRP: $58
Domaine Milan Vin de France Brut Nature Blanc 2023
The still wine which is the base for this wine is made from directly-pressed Macabeu and Grenache Gris grown in clay and limestone soils, under blue clay in Saint-Remy-de-Provence.
The vines are about 16 years old. The wine was aged in concrete tanks (the Milans, like many of our winemakers, are keen on concrete tanks for maturing their wines) with no added sulphites then bottled without dosage or added sulphites but with the addition of a Champagne yeast to start the second fermentation.
The bottles were then aged for 2 years sur lattes, which has added to its complexity. (Sur lattes means the bottles are laid down horizontally and stacked on top of each other for the period the wine is maturing after bottling.)
The finished wine is not disgorged so there is a small amount of sediment.
It is ideal as an apero or to finish a meal. It is one of the three wines we have with the Papillion Sans Soufre Ajouté label.
RRP: $63
Domaine Milan Vin de France Milan Nouveau Rouge 2025
Although it doesn’t appear in the name it does on the label – this is another organic wine from the Milan team which has no added sulphur.
This wine is a blend of grapes from the estate which was fermented in two separate fibreglass tanks which can hold 2750 litres of juice each. One underwent carbonic maceration and the other was fermented traditionally. They were then blended together prior to bottling.
It is interesting to see the treatment of the Mourvèdre grape in this wine. As can be seen from the label, this weighs in at only 11% and is relatively light and smashable.
However just 140 kilometres to the east is the town of Bandol where big, gutsy reds are made from exactly the same grape variety! We know which one we prefer – the lighter, more accessible versions from the Milan’s.
This is a bright, light, lively wine that is drinking very nicely at the moment. It is a delicious wine.
RRP: $52
Domaine Milan Luna & Gaïa 2022
Luna and Gaia, named after the dogs of the estate (Luna is a white Jack Russel and Gaïa is a black Labrador), represents the moon and the earth, white and black – the yin and yang, as its label suggests. The label was created by Roberto Hollis.
The name for this relatively new cuvée was chosen to represent the equilibrium between the substance of the tannins and the freshness of the juice.
The wine is an extraordinary skin contact wine from the Milan family which is comprised of Vermentino (Rolle), Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. The Rolle and Roussanne vines, which were approximately 11 years old, are planted on clay and limestone on blue marl subsoil just behind the Le Carrée vineyard. The Grenache Blanc is from Eyragues.
Whole bunches were macerated for three weeks with daily five minute pump-overs before pressing and incorporating into the free-run juice. It was aged for one year in concrete tank before bottling. Its heady aromas are reminiscent of fresh apricots.
It has developed into an amazing wine! It has great length, beautiful soft tannins and a complexity that is very appealing. Its heady aromas are reminiscent of fresh apricots!
RRP: $68
Domaine Milan Noah Rosé 2020
Noah is a new cuveé from the Milans which is made from locally harvested (and from their own vines) grapes, namely Grenache Noir and Syrah.
This is the first wine we have seen wine with Natalie’s name on the label as well as Theo’s.
These two varieties of grape combine nicely to create a flavoursome yet not too strong rosé which will be perfect for summer drinking.
This is something that everyone will need to get used to, as many of these grape varieties that have been used to produce “big” reds in the past are now being used for lighter reds to match more closely with the prevailing weather conditions being experienced in summer.
RRP: $63 (SOLD OUT)
Domaine Milan Haru Rosé 2021
This fine rosé wine was created by Théo Milan from organic Grenache, Syrah and Merlot grapes that thrive in limestone and clay soils in the area around the Provençale town of Remy de Provence.
As with the red wine is this collection that is described below, the influence of Japan on Théo shines through with the name Haru heralding the onset of spring.
The aromas give hints of white flowers and red fruits and on your first sip of this wine you will appreciate the delicate freshness that it exhibits.
Unlike many Provençale rosé wines, this one has both good colour and amazing depth of flavour!
This wine will work with a wide range of foods but can be sipped by itself at any time of day.
RRP: $41 (SOLD OUT)
Domaine Milan Haru Rouge 2024
Haru is a word used to represent springtime in Japan. It connotes the start of a new season, freshness and renewal.
The Haru cuvées (there is a white and a red) are made to fit with that zeitgeist. This wine is fresh, energetic, low in tannins, easily chillable on a warm day, but also complex enough to drink at cellar temperature with grilled lamb.
The vines for this wine are on average 20 years old and the soil is clay and limestone.
The winemaking for the Mourvèdre was full carbonic maceration and semi-carbonic maceration for the remaining varieties.
After pressing it was aged briefly in concrete tank then bottled in March 2025.
RRP: $58 (SOLD OUT)
Domaine Milan IGP Alpilles Kumo Rouge 2018
In 2018 there was not enough Grenache available from the vineyard that is usually used to create the Milan S&X cuvée, so Théo invented a new cuvée to use the grapes that did survive.
These grapes were grown in clay and limestone soils and the juice was fermented and matured in large, old oak barrels as well as concrete tanks.
The result is a very fresh, light yet quite sophisticated and complex red wine that can be sipped chilled or enjoyed throughout a meal.
Once again, the Japanese influence on the winemaker, Theo Milan, is clear with Kumo being Japanese for cloud, reflecting the lightness of the wine.
And, by the way, notice that this wine is somewhat rare as it takes on the small appellation of IGP Alpilles that is named after the striking mountains that you can see in the medium distance from the Milan’s winery.
RRP: $118 for MAGNUM (SOLD OUT)
Domaine Milan Reynard Rebels 2021
This delightful cuvée is made from purchased grapes from a friend who tends his vines biodynamically. Their friend had always sold to the local co-op and was paid the same price as others got for their inferior non-organic grapes.
When the Milan family asked if they could buy his Merlot and Carignan Mr Reynard rebelled and said yes.
The 2021 vintage produced a very light and delicate wine with fresh tannins and ripe red and blue fruits which was right in line with the style of wine they were after.
This is a style of wine that is becoming more eagerly sought-after, especially for the higher temperatures we are experiencing in Australia in summer now.
Lighter red wines can be made by reducing the length of time the skins are kept on the juice or by mixing the red wine with the juice from some white grapes.
RRP: $41 (SOLD OUT)
Domaine Milan Elliott Rouge 2017
Elliott is the charming son of Théo and Natalie who now has the honour of having a cuvée named after him.
This wine is made from old vines of Syrah and Grenache planted 50 years ago in the Milan’s Eyragues vineyard.
These vines have definitely reached their peak with the grapes being perfect and having a great depth of flavour benefitting from their prolonged time being farmed organically and biodynamically.
The juice was matured in an large old troconic foudre of a friend Mr Guilbert, but they had to take the juice to his cave because the foudre was too big to fit through the doors at the Milan’s winery. The wine was matured in the foudre for two years.
A little sulphur was added to this wine before bottling, although that is becoming unnecessary for most of the Milan wines as they learn more about how to handle wines so that they don’t need to use sulphites in their wine.
RRP: $72 (SOLD OUT)
Domaine Milan Sans Soufre Ajouté Rosé 2014
Each year recently, Henri Milan has crafted a very interesting rosé wine by direct pressing of Mourvedre, Syrah and Grenache. The rosé is also a wine with no added sulphur.
It has a vibrant colour for a Provencal rose and a long lingering flavour in the mouth. It is perfect for drinking with a meal or as an aperitif.
This is an exceptional rosé of great character for which there was only a tiny allocation for Australia this year.
This wine is not filtered and there are sufficient deposits still in the bottle to enable lava light comparisons.
Don’t even think about ordering it if you expect your rosés to be crystal clear.
RRP: SOLD OUT
Domaine Milan Sans Soufre Ajouté Rouge 2023
The name of this wine gives you a clue about how it was made. In French the words ‘Sans Soufre Ajouté’ means no added sulphur. This wine has not had sulphur added to the bottle. The only sulphur in it is naturally occurring sulphur which is in miniscule quantities.
The wine has travelled well to Australia and displays a liveliness and freshness that is typical of naturally-made wines that have not had sulphur added. This is made using the same technique as the Domaine Milan above, with the grape varieties Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre and it only spends 8 months in old barriques.
No filtration or fining has been applied to this wine and only indigenous yeasts have been used to ferment the grapes. It is only 12.5% alcohol. This is a great wine for people who have developed a reaction to sulphur or for those addicted to the freshness of natural wines.
RRP: $68
Domaine Milan Le Papillon Sans Soufre Ajouté Blanc 2019
The name of this wine gives you a clue about how it was made. In French the words ‘Sans Soufre Ajouté’ means no added sulphur. This wine has not had sulphur added to the bottle. The only sulphur in it is naturally occurring sulphur which is in miniscule quantities.
The wine has travelled well to Australia and displays a liveliness and freshness that is typical of naturally-made wines that have not had sulphur added.
The 2019 vintage is a particularly fine example of this blended wine. This vintage sees Grenache Blanc, Rolle (the local name for Vermentino), Roussanne and Marsanne used in the blend. The wine was kept on lees in old barriques for 5 months. This is a beautiful wine that is fresh and lively now but will continue to change character and improve well into the future.
No filtration or fining has been applied to this wine. This is a great wine for people who have developed a reaction to sulphur.
RRP: $61 (SOLD OUT)
Domaine Milan Le Vallon 2022
The vines for this wine are on average 20 years old and grow on clay and limestone with a subsoil of blue marl.
For the winemaking whole bunches were macerated for approximately 5 days then pressed.
Fermentation was completed in concrete tanks, where the wine aged for one year. It was bottled in March 2023.
The wine has spicy notes typically of Provence and the Mediterranean. The tannins from the fruit are there but literally only just and in a very elegant way.
RRP: $68
Domaine Milan Vin de France Le S&X Rouge 2022
This wine, which has been made since 2016, is from a small parcel on the Milan estate cellarmaster Sébastien Xavier identified as being special (hence the name S&X!).
He thought it was special enough to convince Henri Milan to stop putting it in their blended red wines and to make a 100% Grenache wine from this place. The soil is limestone scree with a subsoil of blue marl and the vines were planted in 1992.
For the winemaking whole bunches were macerated for approximately 5 days then pressed. Fermentation was completed in old barrels, in which the wine aged for one year before bottling.
The Milan tasting notes describe initial spicy aromas followed by crushed strawberry, with a hint of liquorice, almost blood orange. They also recommend carafing to add air to ensure the full range of aromas are experienced.
RRP: $94
Domaine Milan Vin de France Le Grand Blanc 2019
Perhaps Domaine Milan’s most iconic cuvée, Le Grand Blanc is a wine which can age for up to 20 years.
The domaine does the first part of this aging. This 2019 vintage spent 12 months in old oak barrels and then a further 5 years in a concrete tank. This is something we have pointed out previously, namely that many of our French winemakers are drawn to concrete tanks to mature wines because they allow small amounts of oxygen to penetrate through the walls of the tanks to help with the slow maturation of the wine.
It was bottled in May 2025. It is a blend of Chardonnay, Muscat à Petit Grains, Grenache Blanc, Rolle, and Roussanne, all of which are direct-pressed and co-fermented.
The vines are approximately 35 years old and grow in silty clay on a subsoil of blue marl.
The Milans tasting notes describe it beautifully “Exceptionally fresh. Aromas of fennel and garrigue dominate the nose and palate, with a long, stony finish that underscores its minerality.”
But we also love long time cellar master Sébastien Xavier’s description when we tasted it with him last year. He simply said “it gives me goosebumps”. He’s helped make this wine for 20 years and this is definitely one of the best.
We also currently have a few Magnums of the 2017 vintage. See above for a general description of this iconic wine. The 2017 vintage was aged in old barrels for 2 years and 4 years in concrete. We only have a small number of bottles. Maximum order – 1 bottle.
RRP: $180 for 1500ml 2017 Magnum
Domaine Milan Vin de Table La Carrée Roussanne 2022
Le Carrée is a small plot, just 0.4 of a hectare, planted only with Roussanne.
The soil is clay with blue marl subsoil. Its square shape gives the cuvée its name. It was planted in 1991 with densely-planted vines (4000 vines/hectare).
The grapes were directly-pressed and the juice fermented and aged in four 500 litre barrels for a year. Three had been used once before and one was new. It was bottled in March 2024.
The wine is concentrated with potential for aging, with a freshness not often seen in this variety, and its richness balanced by good acidity.
The Milans tasting notes “Complex aromas of bitter orange, exotic fruits, and mint compose the aromatic bouquet, which tends to evolve”. The finish is quite saline.
RRP: $130
Domaine Milan Le Premier Pinot Noir 2022
Our previous visit to Provence was in 2019 which we remember was very dry and very hot. In fact, the Milan vineyards were subjected to 24 hours where it was 46 degrees Celsius accompanied by strong winds.
As a result, they lost 30% of the fruit due to the heat. They therefore picked the Pinot Noir earlier than normal to maintain a backbone of acidity to balance the rich ripe fruit.
As with all the other vintages of Pinot Noir, this wine was macerated as whole clusters and fermented in tank before being aged in oak for 1 year.
Domaine Milan says “this wine has bright racy acidity and freshness, herbal notes, medium tannins with flavours of strawberry jam and herbal tea“.
This parcel of Pinot Noir is always the first one harvested.
RRP: $146
Domaine Milan Vin de France Le Jardin 2021
Henri Milan planted Merlot in his idyllic vineyards that crouch below the beautiful Alpilles mountains close to the picture postcard village of Saint Remy de Provence. His aim is to produce a local version of the famous Pétrus from Bordeaux!
This wine, called Le Jardin, is made from 100% Merlot grapes and is matured in 90% old oak barrels and 10% new oak. Henri believes passionately that his vineyards can eventually produce a wine to match that of its western rival. There is everything going for it – excellent soils, regulated wind, mountain backdrop providing protection – many of the positives lacking in Bordeaux!
Production is small with only 2500 bottles made each year.
RRP: $130
Domaine Milan Clos Milan Rouge 2022
This cuvee has a long history, with the grapes for it coming from a vineyard in front of Henri’s house.
The older vintages are made from very old vines but the vineyard was replanted relatively recently and Clos Milan is now being made from the young vines, now approximately 12 years old.
The soil is stony clay and limestone with a subsoil of yellow sand.
For the winemaking, whole bunches were macerated for approximately 5 days, with a daily pump over and then pressed.
The juice was aged for one year in old oak barrels and then one year in tank. It is highly recommended with lamb prepared any way!
Only tiny quantities of this wine are made.
RRP: $89
