Château Beauchêne: Trintignant's Wines in the Rhône

Château Beauchêne and Jean-Louis Trintignant

Today, we’re meeting with Michel and Dominique Bernard from Château Beauchêne. It’s a chance to learn a little more about them!

Michel Bernard: Portrait of a Winemaker in the Rhône

Name: Michel Bernard

Occupation: Winemaker

Region: Rhône Valley

Appellation: Côte du Rhône

His journey… Why wine? It’s a family story. I was born and raised among the vineyards from a very young age. Ever since I was a child, I’ve been passionate about the winemaking profession. As a teenager, I took a detour to law school. I later founded the first wine merchant specializing in the estates and châteaux of the Rhône Valley. In 1996, I returned exclusively to winemaking because I wanted to develop the family vineyard.

Latest News: 2014 is an important year for us. We are continuing our efforts to renew the vineyard based solely on quality criteria, so that we can always offer our customers high-quality wines. Over the course of five years, from 2010 to 2015, we will have replanted more than 12 hectares of vines on the estate. Furthermore, we are continually improving our “guarantee” of the natural character of our wines through our “Nature, Terroir, Protect” charter.

Its reincarnation as wine: It’s hard for me not to say “a Châteauneuf-du-Pape.”

His favorite time of year: I especially enjoy the last day of the harvest, when the grapes are finally safely in the vats. One important stage has just come to an end, but another has just begun: winemaking. The earth has given us its bounty. Now it’s time to transform it to bring out the very best!

His personality: Impatient, energetic, and above all, passionate!

Fun fact: The interesting tidbit is that the French actor Jean-Louis Trintignant was born here at Château Beauchêne.

The wines of Château Beauchêne

A memorable encounter: I have fond memories of Mr. Joseph Veyne (nicknamed Uncle Jo), an elderly wine merchant with an extraordinary talent for tasting. I would invite him regularly to taste our experimental vintages each year.

You run away from / you hate: Insincerity and disloyalty.

Why Les Grappes? Because they struck me as a competent, dedicated, and passionate team with a mission very much in line with our own.

What do you like about your job? The variety of tasks. I’m a farmer, a winemaker, a team leader, and a businessman when I have to travel to China or elsewhere in the world to sell wine.

Who is the most famous person you’d like to have taste your wine? I’d like to have Pope Francis taste Beauchêne’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape.