As we enter another fortnight of tough Covid-19 confinement measures in France, you may be wondering how you can support smaller businesses in the Alpes-Maritimes. I know there are plenty of posts on social media about local companies offering home delivery but, on the suggestion of Elizabeth Gabay MW, I figured one dedicated to the vineyards and wine suppliers along the French Riviera could be useful – especially if you find the selection at your local supermarket underwhelming.

I’m sure they’d appreciate the business in these challenging times.

I’ve been in touch with local producers and wine suppliers to compile the information below. I’ll continue to update this list during confinement as I learn of more local businesses still open for delivery.

Bellet: 

Domaine Saint-Jean

Jean-Patrick Pacioselli says that the new vintage is available in all three colours and they are delivering across the entire 06 region. Minimum order of €50. Delivery within 24 hours.

Phone: 06 08 43 22 53

Email: saintjeanbellet@orange.fr

Website: www.vins-bellet.fr

Domaine de la Source

Carine Dalmasso tells me that Domaine de la Source is continuing to deliver orders of six bottles or more for free across the Alpes-Maritimes.

Orders can be placed by telephone or email. There is also the possibility of a drive-through style collection at the vineyard, as well as take-away sales. Payment by Carte Bleue.

Phone: +33 4 93 29 81 60

Email: contact@domainedelasource.fr

Website: www.domainedelasource.fr

Clos Saint Vincent

Like the other smaller, family-run Bellet vineyards, Clos St Vincent is still delivering to individual clients along the Côte d’Azur. A minimum order of €150 applies. “It’s best if people call the vineyard or email to place their order,” Joe Sergi explains.

Phone: + 33 (0)4 92 15 12 69

Email: contact@clos-st-vincent.fr

Website: www.clos-st-vincent.fr

Domaine de Vinceline 

Bottling of the new vintage has been delayed due to confinement restrictions. Today, Céline Dauby advised that they are bottling at least one colour this weekend (April 4th) and will be offering delivery of these stocks soon after.

“We do, however, still have a bit of stock of our 75cl olive oil. We won’t make a journey for a single bottle but we happy to consider one bottle orders if there is a group of deliveries to the same sector,” Céline advises.

Delivery respecting appropriate social distancing measures and payment in advance, by bank transfer.

Phone: + 33 (0)6 62 07 10 32

Email: domaine.vinceline@gmail.com

These Bellet vineyards are closed until further notice:

• Château de Crémat
• Domaine de Toasc
• Château de Bellet

And beyond:

In Villars-sur-Var, Clos Saint Joseph is still open for visitors: “Of course, with all security measures and distancing rules in place,” explains owner Roch Sassi. Deliveries are being made once a week but only to the entry of the building. A signature on delivery is necessary. “We currently have Côtes du Provence red and white 2018 for sale,” he continues. “From April 15th, we’ll have the new vintage white and rose available as well as our Côtes de Provence Syrah 2018.” Email or telephone orders are preferred: clossaintjoseph@orange.fr or +33 (0) 4 93 05 73 29.

Julien Bertana at Domaine Saint Joseph in Tourettes-sur-Loup is still delivering to customers in the Grasse/Valbonne/Cagnes-sur-Mer/Carros perimeter – distances further afield to be discussed with him. “I don’t have a lot of wine at the moment,” he says. “I only have one rosé, one white (Clos St Paul) and a red (Triptyque).” Bottling starts this week and the entire range will be available at the start of May.

He encourages people to call up for advice since tastings aren’t currently possible. “I’m also trying to take payment via bank transfer where possible to avoid contact. Where not possible, I will accept cheques.” His phone number is +33 (0) 6 09 28 26 59, email bertaina.julien@gmail.com.

If you are in Marseille, Fabienne Völlmy at the urban winery Microcosmos is offering free delivery for orders valued at €50 or more. “Please contact me via email at vollmy@microcosmoschaiurbain.com,” Fabienne advises. “I will send you my price list and you can place your order.”

Wine suppliers:

Mitton International Wines

Mitton International Wines has put together a comprehensive selection of #stayathome wines and spirits on its easy ordering platform: http://www.mittonwines.com/offers. Delivery can be made anywhere along the French Riviera and Monaco. “With our main-stay trade business to hotels and restaurants and our events business completely frozen in France, Germany, Spain, Poland, Czech Republic and Italy; we have quickly re-structured my business to survive this crisis and we have turned to easy-to-order, safe and convenient free home delivery with DHL in the EU and the UK. This means we can continue to pay employees, rents, general administration and our winery and logistical partners so we survive, but also offer a service that people are very happy to use,” owner Bradley Mitton says.

Phone: +33 (6) 78 87 01 21

Email: bm@mittonwines.com

Website: www.mittonwines.com

Vin de Terre

Nice organic wine supplier Vin de Terre has partnered with gourmet Italian trattoria Via Latina to propose a wine and food delivery service. You can check out the selection here: nice.dinestapp.com/via-latina. This impressive website was only launched this week.

The minimum order is €25 – or six bottles if you stick to only ordering wine.

Delivery is across the Côte d’Azur and orders need to be placed on Monday and Tuesday for a Wednesday delivery, or Thursday and Friday for a Saturday delivery. “Neither business has any staff left,” Vin de Terre’s Ewan Bird says, “so people just need to be a little bit flexible at the moment.”

He adds that Via Latina’s buffalo mozzarella is very good!

Phone: + 33 (0)6 77 41 98 61

Email: ebird@vindeterre.fr

Website: www.vindeterre.fr

Onshore Cellars

Although better known as a wine supplier for yachts, Antibes-based Onshore Cellars is “certainly delivering to your home,” owner Jess Dunnet enthuses. For all orders over €100, local delivery within a 20-kilometre radius of Antibes is free and you can browse its selection of wines online.

Phone: +33 (0) 9 67 52 80 20

Email: jessica@onshorecellars.com

Website: www.onshorecellars.com

Britesyde Distribution

For those who live in Monaco and surrounds (Cap d’Ail, Beaulieu, Eze and Villefranche-sur-Mer), Britesyde Distribution is offering free delivery of beer, wine, sparkling and spirits. Its product portfolio includes Prosecco from Maison Montelvini and Champagne from Maison Jeeper. Orders can be placed by phone and via Facebook and Instagram.

Phone: +377 99 90 43 39

Facebook: Facebook.com/britesydemonaco/

Instagram: Instagram.com/britesydedistribution/

Fine Wine Works

Another yacht supplier open for business, Fine Wine Work‘s Oscar Clark tells me that he is still able to deliver across the 06 from the company’s Biot warehouse. Free delivery from €250, if under a €15 fee applies. Supply is limited to current stocks so best to get in touch with Oscar to discuss.

Phone: +33 (0)6 46 01 47 71

Email: oscar@finewineworks.com

Website: www.finewineworks.com