Gerard Bertrand is synonymous with Southern France. Owner of 16 estates, including the inimitable Chateau l’Hospitalet, he is a pioneer of biodynamic viticulture in quality winemaking, and has been devoted to biodynamics since 2002.
He holds the belief that viticulture in harmony with nature is the best way to express terroir in the wine. Although Gerard officially joined the family business in 1987, his journey started much earlier than that, as he worked with his father Georges from 1975 onwards. Gerard credits his father as a pioneer, saying that he was one of the first people to believe in the potential of the region and wanting to reveal the terroir. At the heart of the business is a family, with the fourth generation getting ready to step up to the plate.
It is no surprise that Gerard Bertrand is often seen as the king of Southern France: with 16 estates in the group, including the most prestigious crus of the Languedoc region, he is in a prime position to produce some of the most premium wine.
The group is now expanding its commitment to a policy of sustainable development, with the next step being carbon assessments. They believe that this is essential as a response to the growing demand from consumers for ethical consumption and production. “Preserving the environment in a sustainable way, finding harmony and balance in the ecosystems, enhancing the precision of the winegrowing process, reaching out to future generations – these are the challenges of today and these will be the obligations of tomorrow,” says Gerard Bertrand.
Mention Gerard Bertrand, and you have to mention Clos du Temple. In 2020, the 2019 vintage of this iconic wine was named ‘Best Rosé Wine in the World’ by The Drinks Business magazine. Its unique blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mouvedre and Viognier puts it in a league of its own. The Villa Soleilla 2020 Orange Wine has also received high praise from Jamie Goode, who described it as "Lovely stuff that is complex and remarkably refined: a very fine expression of orange wine”.
