Château de Berne is a sprawling 1,000-acre vineyard and olive estate tucked in Provence’s lush hinterland. This historic wine domaine has evolved into a premium resort – part Relais & Châteaux hotel, part working organic farm – where sustainability is integral to its identity. The hotel’s 40 rooms occupy a lovingly restored stone château and farmhouse buildings, all powered in part by renewable energy (solar panels glitter discreetly atop winery buildings, providing a significant portion of power). Berne’s vineyards (170 hectares) have been fully converted to organic farming – no synthetic pesticides or herbicides are used, and the soil is nurtured with natural compost and biodynamic practices. The result? Award-winning Côtes de Provence wines that are not only exquisite in flavor but also healthier for the land. Guests can tour the cellars to learn how the winery embraces techniques like solar-powered pumps and gravity-fed winemaking to reduce energy use. Surrounding the vines, Mediterranean pine forests and garrigue scrubland are carefully preserved as wild corridors; the estate serves as a safe habitat for wild boar, hare, and pollinators, reflecting its ethos of coexisting with nature. The on-site gastronomic restaurant, Le Jardin de Berne (Michelin-starred), is a showcase of permaculture and Provençal flavors. It sources ultra-locally: an extensive organic kitchen garden and orchard on the property supply vegetables, fruits, and herbs, while a truffle oak grove and free-range chickens contribute truffles and fresh eggs to the menu. The chefs follow a “0 km” philosophy as much as possible – even the olive oil, honey, and breads come from the estate or neighboring farms. This commitment earned the restaurant accolades for eco-responsible cuisine. In the morning, you might join a gardener harvesting tomatoes and zucchini for the day’s dishes, or visit the farm’s friendly donkeys that help naturally mow the vineyard rows. Château de Berne also excels in wellness with a luxurious spa that uses natural grape-based Caudalie products and local aromatic oils. The spa is heated by a biomass boiler fueled by vine prunings and wood chips – an innovative reuse of agricultural waste for energy. The hotel’s pools are kept warm by solar thermal panels. Waste is rigorously recycled, water is conserved via drip irrigation in the gardens, and guests drive electric golf carts around the property (EV charging stations are available for personal vehicles). Walking trails wind through the vines and forests, and a biodiversity trail educates visitors on local flora and fauna. After a day of cycling to nearby hilltop villages or practicing yoga among the olive trees, guests sip organic rosé at sunset knowing their stay supports the environment. Indeed, Château de Berne wears its EU Ecolabel with pride, proving that a destination can be both ultra-luxurious and authentically green – a place where “sustainable viticulture” and slow living are simply the Provençal way of life.