For over 30 years the Bamford family’s coastal wine estate in Provence, Château Léoube, has been flying the flag for organic, eco-minded viticulture. And now, this commitment has been recognised with B Corp certification – a prestigious accolade granted to businesses with high standards of social and environmental performance. As founder Carole Bamford says, the achievement ‘recognises the integrity of our organic practices, as guided by our winemaker, Romain Ott, and reinforces our longstanding commitment to sustainable viticulture: nurturing the soil, preserving artisan traditions, protecting our terroir and above all, working in harmony with nature.’

The certification was marked with a special lunch event held at Hide in Mayfair. And, as a B Corp ourselves, C&TH is always keen to celebrate brands who are making impressive headway in the sustainability space, so we’ve partnered with Château Léoube on a Staying In / Going Out special. Read on for ideas of how and where to drink its organic wine – just in time for summer.

Staying In

Host An Al Fresco Dinner

There are few things in life more glorious than sipping crisp wine and eating delicious food with friends in the garden at golden hour. So why not make the most of this warm weather by hosting a summer shindig, whether that’s an intimate dinner with your nearest and dearest or a bigger drinks gathering. Treat your guests to Château Léoube wine – rosé is the obvious choice for summer, with both still and sparkling available (the Sparkling Love is a winner for special celebrations). But Léoube’s Blanc wine is also lovely for this time of year, with its fresh taste and floral aromas. Pair with a seasonal spread of salads and pastas, or fire up the BBQ. Going pink? Here are some ideas for pairing dishes.

Going Out

Try Léoube At One Of These Hotspots

Prefer to leave the hosting and cooking to the professionals? Léoube is also sold in a number of bars, restaurants and hotels around the UK. Head to five-star London hotel The Lanesborough for a glass of Léoube Rosé on its sunny terrace just off Hyde Park Corner, paired with a lobster roll and French fries – the ultimate treat. Or you could book a table at French brasserie Café Francois in Borough Market: stop by for L’apero hour to enjoy Mediterranean-inspired sharing plates with a carafe of rosé. Craving Japanese food? Léoube’s Love & Secret rosés are also on offer at Sticks ‘n’ Sushi restaurants nationwide. All these spots will transport you to the idyllic shores of Provence… but if you’ve got a few days to spare, nothing beats lunch at the actual Léoube HQ. Cafe Léoube is the estate’s chic beachside restaurant serving dishes made using organic ingredients grown at the on-site market garden (plus plenty of wine, naturally).

Little Luxury

Secret de Léoube Rosé should be your drink of choice this summer. Created to elevate the rosé category, it’s popular with sommeliers and wine writers and is perfect for those aforementioned outdoor events – particularly when served in magnums. It pairs especially well with sushi, sashimi and smoked salmon. £33, daylesford.com

Psssst…

The process of becoming a B Corp is no mean feat. To apply for certification, a business must answer 300 questions that span labour, environmental impact, ethics and governance, their social initiatives and what their goalposts are for the next few years. Then, once a brand has completed the questions (plus backed it up with supporting evidence), B Lab (that’s B Corp’s non-profit offshoot) will scrutinise, assess and give the brand a score out of 200. If a brand reaches 80 or above then they’re B Corp Certified – but any lower and they miss the mark. With a score of 92.7, Léoube passed with flying colours.

Whatever You Do, Don’t

Serve your rosé too cold. Granted, no-one likes a lukewarm glass of wine, but according to experts many of us are drinking rosé up to seven degrees too cold – the optimum temperature is between 7 – 13°C. Serving wine too cold can mute its fruity flavours and hide some of the aromas, so it’s best to take it out of the fridge about 15 to 30 minutes before drinking to ensure it’s not overchilled. You can always have ice cubes on hand for guests who want it that little bit cooler.

Subscription Offer