French Domaine Tempier acquires a neighboring estate in Bandol.

Flagship winery Domaine Tempier in France's Bandol region has acquired the Domaine de la Laidière winery, located nearby in the town of Eveno. The deal was finalized in late June and includes vineyards and inventory.

The La Laidière vineyards, also in Bandol, will be separate from Domaine Tempier's production for the time being, winemaker Daniel Ravier said. The purchase price was not disclosed.

"When I started working at Bandol in the late 1980s, La Laidière was considered the benchmark for rosé and white wines," Ravier told Wine Spectator magazine. The acquisition will help meet the growing demand for rosé production.

The small AOC Bandol is famous for aging red wines produced mainly from Mourvèdre grapes. In recent years, however, many wineries have shifted their focus to rosé, which now accounts for the majority of production in Bandol. The impact of climate change has also played a role, Ravier said.

"The vineyards are on the other side of the Le Bosset Vieux hill [domaine La Migoua of Tempier winery], which faces east-southeast.

Previous vintages of wine from this winery have received high marks. The 50 acres are planted with red varieties Mourvèdre, Grenache and Senso, and white varieties Claret de Bellegarde and Uni Blanc. The purchase came two years after Ravier began his association with the Estienne family, where he was a viticulturist at La Laidière.