Alain Brumont Revitalized the Madiran Appellation

He has spent the last thirty years working tirelessly to restore the reputation of the Madiran appellation. Full of ambition, Alain Brumont, winemaker at Châteaux Montus & Bouscassé, knew that his hard work and patience were the keys to his success.

The Brumonts: a family of winemakers

I come from a family of winemakers. My great-grandfather was already supplying medicinal wines until the introduction of appellations d’origine contrôlées in the 1930s. I developed an interest in agriculture and viticulture at a very young age. My passion for wine took hold quickly, and I have never stopped learning more about it.

The wine that reflects Alain Brumont: his 100% Tannat

The wine that best reflects who I am? My 100% Tannat—100% indigenous, 100% Gascon. This grape variety is full-bodied, generous, and authentic, with no additives, chemicals, or artificial touches. It stands proudly alongside the icons! My 1985 100% Tannat has traveled the world. Of the 50,000 bottles, I have only 12 or 13 left today, and I’m keeping them safe and sound!

Alain's sources of inspiration

There are three men I’ve never been able to forget. The first is Baron de Rothschild; he was someone who really impressed me. In just a few words, he taught us what would have taken 10 years of training. The second person is Marcel Guigal—always precise, always the right words. And the third is Jean-Michel Cazes. I was visiting his estate one day, and he said to me, “I’ll give you a case of Lynch Bages, and you give me a case of your wine.” That was 30 years ago—a gesture few people were capable of making.

Alain Brumont Revitalized the Madiran Appellation

There have been three distinct periods in the history of the Madiran appellation. Before 1930, there was the era of Bordeaux “medicinal” wines. From 1950 to 1980, Madiran wines were marketed as astringent, bitter, overly tannic, and unaged. When I arrived in 1980, I revived the traditional Madiran style. By selecting the best terroirs and then planting the appropriate grape varieties there. It’s a constant process of hard work and research!

Alain Brumont, an ambitious winemaker

My father passed on his values to me: hard work, perseverance, honesty, and transparency in his work as a winemaker. He was one of the top three winemakers in Madiran but didn’t have the ambition to reclaim the leading position that Château Bouscassé held a century ago. I developed this taste for a challenge through encounters with extraordinary people: artists, musicians, researchers, and so on… (though from age 16 to 30, I spent my days on a tractor!).

Changes at Château Bouscassé & Acquisition of Château Montus

I started from scratch at Château Bouscassé, with the goal of creating the greatest wine in the Southwest—an “iconic” wine. I sought sophisticated winemaking techniques and aging in 100% new oak barrels, just like the world’s greatest wines. I had the passion and the desire to strive for excellence.

As for the purchase of Château Montus in the 1980s, documents in the departmental archives show that Napoleon I had already been buying wine from this château. The building was in ruins. It was a childhood dream, and I also sensed the potential of the place… I’ve often been told that I have this ability to sense great terroirs (sometimes even in other regions or 8,000 km away from my home region)!

Châteaux Montus & Bouscassé on Les Grappes

I chose Les Grappes because I love new concepts—they really interest me! Innovation is my life! Les Grappes is also a philosophy, a fresh take on the wine business!

Find Alain Brumont’s wines on Les Grappes