2024 · Jour de Soif

Domaine du Bel Air is a family-run estate in Benais, at the heart of the Loire Valley’s Bourgueil appellation, led by Pierre Gauthier with his son Rodolphe. The estate focuses on 100% Cabernet Franc grown on clay-limestone and tuffeau soils, with some historic clos parcels. Certified organic by Ecocert since 2000, the vineyards are farmed naturally with cover crops, hand work, low yields and, in places, draft horses. Wines are made with wild yeasts and minimal sulfur, including longer élevage for structured, age-worthy cuvées and fruit-driven wines from lighter sites. Pierre’s return to traditional farming followed a period of conventional viticulture, reflecting a clear commitment to working closely with the land and expressing the complexity of Bourgueil terroir.