Domaine du Bel-Air

The remarkable story of the Gauthier family began in 1880. The great-grandfather of the current owner, Pierre Gauthier, was a talented potter from the village of Béné. However, his passion for the land led to a change — instead of creating traditional pots and dame-jeanne amphorae, he decided to devote himself to farming. His journey started with small plots where he grew vegetables and grains. Fate smiled upon him after the phylloxera outbreak — he was able to purchase vineyard land at a favourable price. With his own hands, he grafted and planted vines, thus initiating the winemaking traditions of the Gauthier family in an era when all knowledge was acquired through experience. In the 1970s, the family made an important decision to focus exclusively on winemaking, creating the Domaine du Bel Air brand. Today, the estate is managed by Pierre and his son Rodolphe, a representative of the fifth generation of the family. Years of experience in management have allowed Pierre to conduct numerous experiments both in the vineyards and in the cellars. In the mid-1990s, he realised his main mission — developing the family business in harmony with nature. Since 2000, all 18 hectares of vineyards have been cultivated using organic principles. The wine is created with consideration for the characteristics of the terroir and aged in unique tufa cave cellars. The result is the creation of multifaceted wines with distinct character and excellent aging potential — true representatives of their terroir. Pierre Gauthier’s philosophy is reflected in his words: «The quality of our wines is determined by the choice of the consumer, sommelier, restaurateur, and importer, not vice versa. Today, you confirm this by enjoying the wines of the Loire and Bourgей from Béné, sharing special moments with loved ones. Greatness is shown not in ratings, but in deeds and actions».