There can’t be many winemakers who have notched up more stars in France’s leading wine guide than Jean-Marie Guffens. At last count, he had five in Burgundy—three for Domaine Guffens-Heynen, two for Maison Verget—and one in Bordeaux with Château Closiot in Barsac. This year he picked up number seven for his Provençal estate, Château des Tourettes, and according to La Revue de Vins de France, “The second star is within sight.” After years of searching, Guffens and his wife Maine Heynen purchased the Tourettes estate in 1997. The vineyard lies a few kilometres from the beautiful Roman market town of Apt, in the foothills of the Luberon mountain chain. One of the key selling points was a terroir rich in limestone. Then, at 420 metres the vines would benefit from cool nights and, therefore, slower maturation and flavour development. The other selling points, according to Guffens, are the scenery and the climate. Slowly stepping back from his work in Burgundy—where his wingman Julian Desplans is managing affairs—has allowed Guffens more time to focus on his Provençal estate, which is also his family’s primary residence. Not only has Jean-Marie streamlined the range of wines, but quality and refinement are on the rise. Alongside great value, expect wines of textured generosity and southern soul, married to first rate Burgundian winemaking expertise.