Michel and Dominique Bernard: "Jean-Louis Trintignant was born here at Château Beauchêne!"

Today, we have an appointment with Michel and Dominique Bernard from Château Beauchêne . An opportunity to learn a little more about them!

Identity: Michel Bernard

Profession: Winemaker

Region: Rhône Valley

Appellation: Côtes du Rhône

His journey… Why wine? It's a family affair. I was born and raised among the vines from a very young age. From my earliest years, I was passionate about winemaking. As a teenager, I briefly studied law. I later founded the first wine trading company specializing in estates and châteaux of the Rhône Valley. In 1996, I returned exclusively to winemaking because I wanted to develop the family vineyard.

What's new: 2014 is an important year for us. We are continuing our vineyard renewal efforts based solely on quality criteria to ensure we always offer our customers high-quality wines. In five years, from 2010 to 2015, we will have replanted over 12 hectares of vines on the estate. Furthermore, we are continuously 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 particularly enjoy the last day of the harvest when the grapes are finally safely stored in the vats. One important stage has just ended, but another has just begun: the winemaking process. The earth offers us its bounty. Now it's a matter of transforming it to extract the very best!

His temperament: Impatient, active and above all passionate!

An anecdote: The little anecdote is that the French actor Jean-Louis Trintignant was born here at Château Beauchêne.

His most memorable encounter: I have fond memories of Mr. Joseph Veyne (nicknamed Uncle Jo), an elderly wine merchant who had an enormous talent for tasting. I regularly invited him to taste our proposed vintages each year.

You were fleeing from / you hated it: The lack of sincerity and the absence of loyalty.

Why Les Grappes? A team that appeared to me to be competent, committed, passionate and focused on an objective very close to our own.

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

The most famous person you would like to have your wine tasted? Having Pope Francis taste the Châteauneuf du Pape from Beauchêne.

Pourquoi nous faire confiance ?

Depuis 2014, chez Les Grappes, nous partons à la rencontre de vignerons passionnés partout en France pour dénicher des vins authentiques, vivants et pleins d'histoire. En travaillant directement avec plus de 500 vignerons, nous sélectionnons des cuvées que nous aimons vraiment et que nous avons envie de vous faire découvrir.

Ce blog est le prolongement de cette aventure. On y partage nos découvertes, nos conseils, nos coups de cœur, nos meilleurs accords mets-vins, des idées de dégustation et tout ce qui nous anime au quotidien autour du vin.

L'objectif est simple : vous aider à choisir des bouteilles qui vous ressemblent et à prendre encore plus de plaisir à les déguster.