In The Vines With Gérard Bertrand, A Biodynamic Winemaker In France

Forbes

3 days ago

Gérard Bertrand in the vines.
Three summers ago, I experienced a festival like I've never experienced before, and fell in love with what I've deemed the best rosé in the world, Clos du Temple (in fact, it changed my mind about rosé in general). Meet Gerard Bertrand—former rugby star turned wine wizard who owns 16 châteaux and wine-growing estates across the Languedoc-Roussillon in the South of France. Bertrand started making wine at 10, balanced rugby stardom with winemaking, then took over the family business when tragedy struck at 22. Today he produces award-winning biodynamic wines and created the most spectacular wine festival you've never heard of: Jazz à l'Hospitalet Festival.
Picture six consecutive evenings of wine magic nestled between ancient limestone cliffs and the Mediterranean, where each night kicks off with a grand gala dinner in the château park with stunning seafood platters with freshly shucked oysters, truffle-studded everything, and delicious slow-cooked fish à la chef Laurent Chabert. Each evening has its own dress code, which is so fun to partake in. This year runs July 15-19, 2025, featuring Texas, Ibrahim Maalouf, Earth Wind & Fire Experience, Michel Polnareff, and Christophe Maé with themes from bohemian to retro-funk to vintage glamorous.
Château L'Hospitalet Wine Resort Beach & Spa is a 13th-century hospice turned luxury resort—41 rooms, including 28 suites, scattered between the main château and exclusive Villa Soleilla with private pools and Mediterranean views. The property spans 1,000 hectares with heated pools, tennis courts, a world-class spa, and a beach club serving tapas beside the sea from May through September. Small Luxury Hotels recently added them to their collection, and honestly, once you've experienced this level of French art de vivre, everything else feels like amateur hour.
Now, back to the wine. I sat down with Gérard Bertrand for the latest installment of In the Vines With to chat far beyond the basics—upcoming projects and more:
Jenn Rice: What inspired you to get into winemaking?
Gérard Bertrand: I was born and raised in the heart of the Corbières, and I did my very first harvest with my father, Georges Bertrand, at our family estate, Château de Villemajou, 50 years ago. He passed on to me his passion for the terroirs of the South of France and his expertise in viticulture, winemaking, and blending. But above all, he shared with me his vision for the rise of Languedoc and Roussillon wines.
JR: Proudest moment as a winemaker?
GB: Every harvest has taught me humility more than pride. Over the years, I have deepened my connection with nature and strengthened my commitment to crafting wines that respect life, reflect the soul of our terroirs, and bring people together around the values of harmony, authenticity, and our Mediterranean art de vivre.
JR: What is your first wine memory?
GB: It goes back nearly 50 years, when I was just 10 years old, taking part in my first harvest with my father and my sister. From the vineyard to the cellar, I followed him closely, listening attentively to every word he said.
JR: What are you currently enjoying from your portfolio?
GB: At the moment, I take great pleasure in orange wines. Orange wines are made with white grapes like red wines: through skin contact comes the orange color and the aromatic profile of the wine. A dialogue between tradition and modernity that reflects both our sense of innovation and our Mediterranean identity. And I really enjoy discovering new food and wine pairings with orange wines!
French Cancan is a joyful expression of orange sparkling wine! Full of freshness and energy. It embodies the festive, vibrant spirit of the South of France, inviting people to celebrate life with elegance but without formality. I enjoy it as an aperitif.
Orange Gold represents a more audacious approach. It reconnects with ancient winemaking traditions, using skin contact to give white grapes both structure and complexity. Its amber colour, aromatic depth, and food-pairing versatility make it a wine of great character, very much in tune with contemporary gastronomy.
Both wines are organic.
JR: A sommelier who's blown your mind with wine pairings?
GB: Paolo Basso, World's Best Sommelier 2013, recently impressed me during a Master Class he gave at our Château l'Hospitalet Wine Resort, Beach & Spa. His approach to wine and food pairing is truly inspiring. We were fortunate to have him share his knowledge and passion with our guests.
JR: If you could take one wine to an island?
GB: It's always difficult when I'm asked to choose one of my wines, because I love them all. You cannot ask a father to pick a favourite child! But to answer your question: La Forge. This red wine is a tribute to my father and to our family's legacy in Boutenac. I love pairing it with a rack of lamb from the Corbières, simply roasted with wild thyme and rosemary, accompanied by seasonal vegetables. It perfectly embodies the Mediterranean art of living.
JR: What is your go-to libation when you need a break from wine?
GB: I never need a break from wine.
JR: The future of wine is...
GB: …the best moment of my life.
JR: Clos du Temple is my favorite rosé in the world….why is it standout above the rest?
GB: Clos du Temple, our iconic rosé, is truly unique. It is crafted in a place that seems almost predestined to produce the finest rosé. In Cabrières, the combination of limestone and schist soils, the Mediterranean climate, and our biodynamic approach create an extraordinary harmony.
We work with a selection of noble grape varieties—Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, and Viognier—each bringing its own energy and personality.
This rosé is made for ageing. I thoroughly enjoy tasting both young and mature vintages—always an emotional experience.
This philosophy of balance, energy, and harmony is at the very heart of my book Multidimensional Wine, where I explore how a deeper connection with nature allows us to craft wines that transcend categories and preconceptions—as Clos du Temple does for rosé.
JR: What is your favourite thing about the jazz festival?
GB: It's one of my favourite moments of the year. We created this festival 22 years ago. It's a fabulous celebration where wine, gastronomy, and music come together in perfect harmony.
Jazz and wine share one essential quality for me: they both speak directly to the soul.
JR: Any upcoming projects or events you want to share?
GB: We always have many projects. Wine has centuries of history, but still offers so many opportunities for creation and innovation. We have just launched our newest white cuvée, La Grande Bleue, an ode to the Mediterranean. Fresh, mineral, and saline.