Domaine du Bel Air is a certified organic estate that has been creating traditional wines from Bourgeuil for the past five generations. Throughout the decades, the Gauthier family enjoyed their wines privately until 1979, when they began to sell their wines commercially. Pierre Gauthier, the man who oversaw this transformation, continues to make the wines today alongside his son, Rodolphe (collaborating together since 2005). The grapes are sorted and de-stemmed and fermented using native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. Only the free run juice is used.
- Pierre Guathier is a “vigneron’s vigneron”. While his wines are just now garnering the international attention they deserve, he has long been admired by his fellow growers.
- The domaine is comprised of 18 hectares located in the village of Benais, a 200-hectare area just east of Bourgeuil. Pierre earned organic certification in 2000 and has been a quiet leader in natural farming ever since. His most recent endeavor is the rahabilitation of the historic “Clos Nouveau” in the center of Benais.
- Pierre is a thoughtful man with a jolly disposition. His joyful “Jour de Soif” and deep, age-worthy single parcel wines are incredible discoveries for Cabernet Franc devotees and Loire Valley wine lovers.
