Gérard Bertrand likes to share the exceptional diversity and characteristics of each of his 11 vineyards. At the Chateau l’Hospitalet, near Narbonne, every detail has been taken care of so that visitors can discover the wines of occitania in total harmony with nature.

What is your conception of wine tourism?

First of all it’s about discovering the location: the soils, the grape vines, the people, the lifestyle, and the climate. Chateau l’Hospitalet has everything you need to ensure this discovery takes place in the best possible conditions: a magnificent setting in the heart of a protected mountain range that is a stone’s throw from the Mediterranean Sea and Narbonne, surrounded by an exceptional heritage of civilizations which forged human history (the Romans, Cathar Christians, the city of Carcassonne, the Canal du Midi) … Here we share our passion for wine. Each person can have what we hope will be an unforgettable sensory and emotional experience: in the vineyard, wine cellar, restaurant and wine buffet, in the company of artists and to the sound of music!

Chateau l’Hospitalet uses organic cultivation methods. How does that change the wine tourism experience?

Organic cultivation is based on connection with nature and the search for harmony and balance. I hope that the people who come to visit, dine in the restaurant, take part in a wine-tasting session, or stay over, will find that this vineyard is a good place to recharge their batteries, rediscover the link with the environment and find peace and harmony. We maintain this harmony by combining a protected natural setting, gourmet meals with local products, vegetables from the garden, and wine-tasting workshops to explain the characteristics of this wine district. All these elements combine to fuel our inspiration when we make our wines.

Between the ocean and vineyards, in a superb landscape, the Chateau l’Hospitalet breathes wellbeing and the Mediterranean lifestyle. An essential destination during a wine tourism visit to the Languedoc!

Just 15 km away from Narbonne, in the heart of the Narbonne regional park, the road first winds through a landscape of pine trees and vineyards before revealing a large plateau overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, where the vineyards are king. You are in the heart of the protected La Clape Mountains (the name means ‘pile of stones’ in the local Languedoc language), which shelter the Chateau l’Hospitalet. A short 10-minute walk along the hill and you are rewarded with an exceptional view over the vineyards, the sea, the beaches and … in the distance, the Pyrenees Mountains. 

An exceptional view over the grape wines, the sea, the beaches, and … in the distance, the Pyrenees Mountains.

It’s hard to imagine that 20 centuries ago the city of Narbonne was a port, and this peninsula was ... an island! The grape vines had already decided that this spot would be their home. Since then, the Aude River has changed its bed. Situated next to the Mediterranean Sea, La Clape mountain range is a wine district made up of limestone blocks, and is ideal for growing Bourboulenc and Vermentino (white wines), and Syrah and Mourvèdre (red wines).

Chateau l’Hospitalet: The essential wine tourism destination in Occitania

The Chateau l’Hospitalet is a traditional sixteenth-century building, and opens onto an inner courtyard. The surrounding vineyard is a real haven of peace in 1,000 hectares of pines, bushland and grape vines. In 2002, winemaker Gérard Bertrand took over this jewel of the southern wine region in order to maintain and promote the Mediterranean lifestyle by expanding the appreciation and experience of the great Languedoc wines.

To preserve the environment, the vineyard became entirely organically cultivated: without the use of chemicals, the grape vines are grown in a way which protects natural biodiversity. During a relaxing stay in one of the hotel’s comfortable rooms, you will enjoy a magnificent view of the regional park. Each room has a special name which refers to wines from the south of France and reflects their individual character. At the restaurant, L’Art de Vivre, an inventive cuisine highlights the products of the Languedoc region, accompanied by Gérard Bertrand’s renowned grand cru wines. Here there is nothing but wellbeing and authenticity.  

Since 1992, this stately chartreuse has exhibited famous contemporary artists and displays the gourmet spirit of the Cazes family, who also own the Château Lynch-Bages vineyard in Pauillac.

A 45-minute drive from Bordeaux, between the Gironde and the Atlantic, nestled among vines in the heart of Pauillac, the Château Cordeillan-Bages offers a haven for lovers of fine food and experiences to excite the senses. On the initiative of Jean-Michel Cazes, who wanted to enjoy wine-inspired artworks, Pierre Alechinsky became the first artist to illustrate a vintage in 1989.

Famous artists are exhibited at Château Cordeillan-Bages: Alechinsky, Emilio Perez, Antoni Tapies, Gérard Titus-Carmel, Jean Scully and Barthélémy Toguo.

Many famous artists have followed: Sandro Chia, Eduardo Arroyo, Emilio Perez, Antoni Tapiès, Gérard Titus-Carmel, Jean Scully, and Tan Swie Hian. A wealth of artworks can be enjoyed at this Relais & Châteaux hotel and Michelin-starred restaurant as a tribute to the  Château Lynch-Bages art exhibitions.

Contemporary art is on the menu of Michelin-starred restaurant

Each year, the chef brings inspiration from the Château Lynch-Bages universe to the table, including dishes inspired from the art exhibitions which stay on the menu for the season. The ‘Fraîcheur’ desert was transformed to honor an Alechinsky painting! Three artworks by Tapiès adorn the walls of the restaurant, which was selected as part of the Art & Wine route created by the Bordeaux Tourism Board.

Motivated by their desire to unite and share their worlds of wine and art, the Cazes family exhibits their collection at different locations in the picturesque village of Bages. The wine tasting school is decorated with paintings, while the Café Lavinal presents the work of local artists. Jean-Charles Cazes describes the spirit of this domain welcoming local residents and visitors from around the world. 

Nowadays the making of Armagnac brandy is no longer restricted to men. In Occitania, among many passionate winemakers, Caroline and Sophie Rozès apply their sensitivity to a craft handed down over generations. 

There is a world of difference between perfumes and spirits. Yet it’s these two areas which Caroline Rozès decided to explore after having worked for a decade in the perfume business in Paris. The youngest daughter of a family from the Gers region, Caroline began producing a most beautiful fragrance, that of her family’s Armagnac brandy, by taking over two properties at Cassaigne in the Gers region: the Chateau de Léberon and the Domaine d’Aurensan. 

Joining her in this project is her sister Sophie, a vet by training, who, alongside her father, Bernard, is involved in the conversion of the vineyard to organic agriculture. A geological engineer, Bernard learnt the secrets of Armagnac production from his grandfather, and then his father.      

The vintages, true to the purest Armagnac tradition, are sold at Fauchon

Caroline and Sophie thus represent the fourth generation of Armagnac producers who have run the Chateau de Léberon since 1939, the year when their grandfather, Osmin, bought the vineyard. There is a world of difference between perfumes and spirits, but there are also a number of similarities: ‘The smells, for sure, the aromas, the sensibility, the excellence, the expertise, the choice of top quality,’ explains Caroline, proud that her bottles, or flasks, all of which contain vintages in the purest tradition of Armagnac brandy, are available at the luxury retailer Fauchon, in Paris, and on the menus of the best restaurants. ‘Our Armagnacs come from a traditional craft, which we want to develop and share.’

Nestling in the heart of an extensive vineyard, the Relais & Chateaux hotel Coquillade Village is the perfect place from which to visit Provence. Vineyard walks, wine cellar tastings and a spa ... Welcome to a great wine tourism location at the foot of the Luberon Mountains.

A path lined with cypress trees leads to an authentic Provençal village at the top of a hill. The five-star Coquillade Village hotel offers a breathtaking view over the Luberon mountain range and the mountains of the Vaucluse and Ventoux. The perfect place to discover the charm of the Provence region, this delightful hotel, affiliated to Relais & Chateaux, combines dignity, refinement and respect for the environment.

Eco-labelled since 2012, the village is composed of several exceptional medieval buildings, with the oldest dating back to the eleventh century, and a magnificent 1,500-m² spa.

Nestling in the heart of a 35-hectare vineyard, and eco-labelled since 2012, Coquillade Village comprises several exceptional medieval buildings, with the oldest dating back to the eleventh century. It also has a 1,500-m² spa. A paradise of wine tourism, Aureto offers exceptional wines from three different districts: 28.5 hectares in Ventoux, six hectares in the Luberon and the rest in the origin-approved Vaucluse wine district.

Wine tastings, workshops and vineyard walks

Situated within the vineyard, the wine storage building boasts remarkable technology and is constructed in harmony with the surrounding natural environment. A one-hour guided visit is available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 6 p.m., followed by a wine tasting. The wine cellar, situated a few kilometres away, offers a full range of Aureto wine tastings. In this contemporary space you can also find accompanying products such as grape juice, olive oil or even the Marc de Provence brandy.

The Winegrowers Path, with three signposted walks, provides free access to the entire vineyard and its exceptional views. Would you prefer a guided walk? Meet at 10 a.m. at the wine cellar each Wednesday, from April to September! During this period you can also book introductory wine workshops, which teach you how to appreciate the colours and scents of different wines. An entertaining way to learn about wine tasting.

The Provence Wine Route offers interesting activities and multiple discoveries. Anne-Cécile Audra, the organizer of the project, explains the values and ambitions of this network of 430 locations.

What does the wine route network offer to wine tourists who are visiting Provence?

Over the last 20 years, the members of the agricultural tourism sector in Provence have made great progress in developing their tourism products, opening numerous wine cellars for wine tastings as well as guest houses and discovery walks around their vineyards. In 2011, the Provence Wine Tourism Route was formed to structure the Provence wine tourism sector, to protect and promote the wines of Provence in terms of their cultural heritage, to share their expertise, to welcome visitors in a friendly atmosphere and to present the unique characteristics of the region.  

What sort of activities and places can be found on this wine route? 

Provence is packed with exceptional and unusual places, with many emblematic or mysterious sites to discover during a trip along the wine route. There’s a reason why our motto is ‘Each pathway is a discovery’. As of 2016, the network I represent brings together nearly 430 vineyards and cooperative wine cellars, from the Camargue region to the city of Nice. They are divided into eight wine districts: Côtes-de-Provence, Coteaux-d’Aix-en-Provence, Coteaux-Varois-en-Provence, Bandon, Beaux-de-Provence, Ballet, Cassis and Palette. Visitors and tourism operators benefit from a professionally qualified network that is committed to high-quality service.

Can wine tourists make up their own itinerary?

The Provence Wine Route website is reliable and regularly updated. There is also a version for mobile phones that allows visitors to create their own wine route. They can then easily find the vineyards and wine cellars they have selected by the special road signs along the route.