A huge spider by Louise Bourgeois floating on a body of water is welcoming you at Château La Coste reception. The pool, just as the restaurant, the boutique and the building reflecting light through imposing bay windows, is designed by a Japanese genius architect, Tadao Ando. Dressing the walls in silky concrete, he is giving it a variety of reflections in perfect harmony with the perspective.

These are the very first images, making you fall in love with this vast estate known for its refined 100 % organic wines. Its aluminum cellars bear the prestigious signature of Jean Nouvel. A few kilometres away from Aix-en-Provence, Château La Coste covers an area of 200 hectares. Vines are spreading as far as the eye can see. Masterful works of art are winding along the paths, between olive trees, umbrella pines, oaks and cypresses.

Château La Coste: a walk through a wine estate, revealing masterful art — Mathematical model 012 Surface of revolution with constant negative curvature by Hiroshi Sugimoto © Larry Neufeld

Here art is expressed in perfect harmony with the landscape. Unsurprisingly, the great master Cézanne was favouring this sunny natural Provençal landscape to create his most beautiful paintings. Château La Coste has become a unique art centre of its kind, essential for all lovers of contemporary creation. Some forty works are hidden under the trees, surprising us every time. This bucolic walk takes us from one sculpture to another, from an architectural work to a gallery of temporary exhibitions. There is so much to discover that a day is barely enough to tour the property.

A luminous marriage of art and wine

Never has a marriage between the most subtle wines and most elaborate works of art been celebrated with so much happiness. The art centre right in the middle of vineyards is setting the tone, with the estate welcoming the most prestigious visual artists of our times. The very discreet owner of the place, Irish businessman Patrick McKillen, is aiming for excellence in every way. And he succeeds. On the wine side, he is offering high-end three-coloured bottles. As for the open-air museum, it could rival many famous institutions.

At La Coste, wine has been made since 200 years B.C. There were Greeks, Romans, monks, Provencal counts… Nowadays, the winemaking know-how is part of the overall artistic project. Visitors truly appreciate tastings, offered by the cellars and restaurants, with their perfect food and wine pairings. A refined cuisine in harmony with the spirit of the place. Visual artists have the pleasure of expressing themselves in situ. At one with a generous and fragrant nature, they are marking this exceptional journey with their stamp. I believe that “Mater Earth” by Prune Nourry is one of the most striking works. Imagined as a monumental sculpture, a pregnant woman is resting in the grass. This installation suggests the importance of the earth matrix and the absolute necessity of looking after it.

Another very spectacular one is the “Great Red Cross” by Jean-Michel Othoniel. Made in Murano glass, it converses with the minimalist architecture of the chapel by Tadao Ando. A “Drop” by Tom Shannon is also worth mentioning. Once activated, this stainless steel piece gives an unexpected impression of lightness. And let us not forget the latest works by Damien Hirst. Having exhibited this spring in the estate’s temporary galleries, he has greatly enriched the permanent collections with some ten monumental sculptures installed in the outdoor spaces.

This summer, Frenchwoman Claire Tabouret, Chinese artist Ding Yi and American Joel Mesler are on the agenda. These three unique painters will be adding even more charm with significant exhibitions set up in dedicated spaces, created by architects Renzo Piano and Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Great moments to come in the artistic history of Château La Coste.