Our Story
MAKING WINE IN PROVENCE SINCE 1989
Jane and Hugh Faulkner acquired Le Grand Cros without big wine-making aspirations. Their first year they earned 4 gold medals from France’s top two wine competitions. This success was unprecedented and their oenologist convinced them that they must bottle their wine, instead of selling it in bulk which was typical back then in Provence.
So Jane, being the artist, created the labels and with no preparation and somewhat by accident they were in the business of making and selling wine. Their son Julian took over the business 10 years later and had ambitions to take the business further and make rosé that would be considered a fine wine.
For the last 20 years he has been experimenting with different techniques and protocols to make rosé more interesting and distinctive from the typical Provençal style. The fruit of that effort is best shown by our cuvée Aurélia.
1989
Jane and Hugh Faulkner acquire Domaine du Grand Cros
1990
Our First Vintage and a fabulous one
1990
Their son Julian joins the business
2001
Decanter magazine awards the 2000 red the best red from Provence. Julian becomes majority shareholder and General Manager
2015
Decanter magazine selects our 2014 rosé as best rosé in the world that year. Aurélia rosé launched named after Julian's first child
2021
We obtain the HVE sustainable certification. Le Grand Cros becomes the only producer to have as many as 3 rosés selected in Jancis Robinson's top 10 of the year
More from The Faulkner Estate
Since 1989 the Faulkner family has been making wine in Provence, winning numerous awards in the process and creating a brand renowned in the whole world.