HISTORY OF PROVENCE WINES VI Century BC: the Phoenicians introduced the vine in the areas around Massilia (Marseille), Nikaia (Nice) Antipolis (Antibes) and Anthenopolis (Saint Tropez). II Century BC ???? From IX to XIV Century AD: several great aristocratic families bought many wine – producing proprieties in Provence. 1860: Phyloxera Vastatrix, a parasite from the USA, destroyed the vineyards of Europe. Vines grafted onto American root – stock made the vines resistant to this pest and the French countryside, particularly Provence, regained vitality. 1895: the name Cotes de Provence was born. 1951: the area of Cotes de Provence was given clear boundaries by a commission of experts. 1977: Cotes de Provence became a member of the elite ADC family. 1993: Coteaux Varois became ADC, with all its features laid down by law.