Cédric Gravier, a dynamic, eager-to-learn winemaker, has been making Bandol wine under his own estate name, la Suffrène, since 1996. All the wine is made from old vines, as the family has long cultivated grapes for other producers. Cédric is also a master of winemaking. He strives for the most natural process possible. This begins in the vineyards; la Suffrène is located just off the coast, making organic farming challenging. However, Cédric has successfully avoided using conventional pesticides for years. He doesn't seek certification, however, as he wants to retain the option of occasionally using conventional pesticides in a very wet year. The expectation is that, the longer he works organically, the healthier and more resistant the vines will become, and therefore he will need fewer and fewer conventional pesticides. The estate covers 49 hectares and boasts a wide variety of soils. The wines are honest and pure, of high quality, and—for this appellation—very reasonable prices. It is striking that both white and rosé wines are pleasant as an aperitif, but still reveal a hidden power when paired with food.