Michel Bernard is an enterprising man, with a passion for the terroir and the wine. Treasurer of the Comité National Interprofessionnel des Vins d'appellation d'origine (INAO), honorary president of InterRhône, president of the wine tourism group within Atout France, he recently took over the mission to manage the French wine tourism center of excellence. Man of conviction, above all he is a committed wine grower.
Château Beauchêne is a magnificent residence of the 19th century, near the woods, some distance from Piolenc, surrounded with vineyards. This is the setting of excellence chosen by the Bernard family's forefathers to settle and produce their elixirs. Taken over by Michel Bernard and his wife in 1971, the domain totals 70 hectares nowadays on three appellations: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes-du-Rhône and Côtes-du-Rhône Villages.
For the family, the production of environmentally and health friendly wines is a genuine commitment. Michel Bernard created the label “Nature and Terroir Protect” which advocates the minimal use of inputs in all the stages of vine growing and wine making. Proof of his sincerity, Michel Bernard shows to those who ask the results of the analysis results made on residues in his wine. In fact Château Beauchêne wines have better indicators than those required for the organic certification. To complete the process, the wines are exclusively bottled at the château.
To reach such a quality without chemical assistance, the equation would seem simple. Take what nature gives us best. But to reach excellence, Michel Bernard works hard in the vineyard. In 40 years time, the Bernard family replanted more than 15 ha of vineyards and made their own the policy that is to let express the vineyard without forcing it, looking for the right balance between the terroir and the abilities of the plant.
The domain has a wealth of three terroirs that receive each the most adapted grape so that the soil and the plant form the most efficient duo. Today the grape variety consists of 52% Grenache, 32% Syrah and 12% Mourvèdre for the red wines. For the white wines, Clairette, Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc. The alluvial terraces with big rolled pebbles and sandy red clay are reserved for the Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the Côtes-du-Rhône Premier Terroir; the rocky alluviums in terraces produce the Côtes-du-Rhône Villages and their Côtes-du-Rhône Grande Réserve which is also produced on the sandy rocky soils of the hillsides. The careful wine making without additives with long vattings guarantees a good ageing potential.
Over time, to broaden the choice of soils, the family acquired other vineyards, especially the Serrière Vineyards—which gave their name to a cuvée—and Château des Souffle de Costerelle.
Besides the eco-friendly policy, Michel Bernard also chose a style to stand out. Wines of Châtau Beauchêne are characterized by the alliance of powerfulness, fruitiness, finesse. The wine grower seeks lightness, length, roundness, complexity in a mastered powerfulness and in a mix of strength and sensuality, with the caress of the fruit in climax.
Mirroring the excellence of the wines on the vineyard side, the castle opens on the garden side to receive exceptional events. Reminder of the history of the family that goes back several centuries, the 300-year-old plane tree will welcome your receptions under its friendly bearing.
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