Live the good life at Gérard Bertrand’s castle on a cliff

Perched on a ridge high above the Mediterranean Sea on the coast of southern France—in the nationally- protected Massif de la Clape park—the whimsical Château L’Hospitalet shines like a diamond in one of the world’s most treasured wine regions.

Emulating the “joie de vivre,” this 1561 French estate is part biodynamic winery, part Michelin star restaurant, part three-star hotel, and as if that wasn’t alluring enough, part Gérard Bertrand headquarters. Inspired by nature, a simple walk through this property will bring you through nearly 2,500 acres of limestone hills, friendly wildlife, and fields of rare orchids swaying in the wind. Designed with wanderlust in mind, Château L’Hospitalet is also home to a wine cellar, a tennis court, golf putting green, swimming pool, gym, art gallery, local craft shops, and, at the heart of it all, some really tasty Gérard Bertrand wines.

Wine tourism has made a name for itself in the travel sector, but few have perfected the art quite like Gérard Bertrand. When Bertrand himself (lovingly called “Le Grand,” or “the tall guy,” in French) got a phone call from Jacques Ribourel, who then owned L’Hospitalet, he didn’t know what to expect. That was 2001, and Ribourel, a man who saw the future of wine tourism before the world was cultured enough to appreciate it, wanted “Le Grand” to take over his precious château. Still early in his career, Bertrand was nervous about purchasing a property that large, partially because he didn’t know if the bank would even help him finance it. After much debate, Bertrand took the risk in April 2002—and the reward was sweet, indeed.

When you visit Château L’Hospitalet today, what you see, taste, and experience will astound you. Dedicated to great food, great wine, and great living, guests can’t visit the estate without enjoying a meal at L’Art de Vivre, where head chef Laurent Chabert creates modern, organic plates inspired by his Mediterranean surroundings, and a sommelier pairs those plates with Gérard Bertrand wines. In the vineyards, guests can explore the limestone terroirs of the South of France, join guided wine-making tours and free tastings of Gérard Bertrand’s fine wines, and when you find bottles you can’t live without, visit the on-site wine shop. There, you’ll find the most exclusive collections of Bertrand’s finest vintages, which you can take home with you to savor your days at Château L’Hospitalet long after you leave.

Rooted in the belief that food and wine are forms of art, Bertrand’s L’Hospitalet is a retreat to enjoy other art forms, as well. Celebrating the “art de vivre” of the Mediterranean, Château L’Hospitalet has an art gallery where local and international artists alike can put their proudest works on display. In fact, from now until May 31, Narbonne artist Olivier Domin will exhibit his colorful“pop art” inspired by artists like Egon Schiele, Pablo Picasso, and Jackson Pollock. For guests who like to do more than just peruse and buy art, they can make some of their own. At L’Hospitalet, a series of artist-led workshops gives any budding talent the opportunity to let their inner da Vinci shine.

Outside of wine, Bertrand’s greatest passion is jazz music. In 2004, he launched his first-ever Jazz à L’Hospitalet, a five-day festival that celebrates all things jazz, food, and wine. Returning for its 16th summer at the end of this July, this “fête” invites music lovers of all ages to enjoy a magical night in what feels like a real-life fairytale. Think: L’Hospitalet, a light-strung courtyard, an elaborate buffet prepared by none other than chef Chabert himself, and every night, jazz under the stars by some of the greats. This year’s lineup won’t disappoint; guests can already buy tickets to performances by Melody Gardot, Craig David, Ben L’Oncle Soul, Zazie, and Lisa Simone.

With Bertrand’s influence over the past 17 years, Château L’Hospitalet has blossomed into one of the world’s premier destinations for wine tourism. And as anyone who knows Bertrand will tell you, a visit there is everything the wine guru is all about—living your best life.

Happy dining!

By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor