Where you can meet French « Vedettes » in the vineyard

Patrick Bruel: Domaine de Leos

The well-known actor and singer has been involved in the Domaine de Leos, which is located east of Avignon on the Plateau de Margoye, near L’Isle-sur-La-Sorgue, at the interface between the Lubéron, the Mont Ventoux and the Alpilles. « This Leos project, which I live with my teams every day, is primarily a great human adventure that is characterized by passion, exchange and friendship, » explains the artist.

The winery comprises 41 hectares, of which 13 hectares are dedicated to viticulture. The most important grape varieties are Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Vermentino (roll) as well as old Carignan vines. In addition, olive oil, jams, truffles, honey and confects are made from wildthymian and lavender. Leos also offers cosmetic products.

The wines Leos Cuvée Augusta are produced in collaboration with Nicolas Jabouleet by Maison & Domaines Les Alexandrins (Tain-L’Hermitage, Rhône). The Augusta Rosé was launched in 2022. This fresh, typical Provencal rosé is available in Luxembourg supermarkets at a current price of 13.90 euros. There is also a white Augusta that is not offered in Luxembourg, but can be ordered on the Domaine de Leos website.

Francis Cabrel: Domaine du Boiron

25 years ago, the singer Francis Cabrel acquired Domaine du Boiron in the municipality of Astaffort in the Lot-E-Garonne department at the gates of the Gascogne. His brother Philippe leads the winery, which is organized biologically on eleven hectares of vineyards. The grape varieties are typical of the region, especially the tannat, which is known for its robustness at a young age, but also for his remarkable ability to mature with age.

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec complete the grape variety mirror. The winery produces racy wines under the Appellation Brulhois, which are authentic and reflect their terroir.

The wines of the Domaine de Boiron are available in various cuvées, mainly red wines. They are not imported directly to Luxembourg, but are available on the website of the winery.

Gérard Depardieu: Château de Tigné

The well-known actor, star of numerous cinema hits and César winner Gérard Depardieu is a guiding figure in French film history, but also a controversial personality. Depardieu is also very active in the wine world. In 1989 he invested in the Château de Tigné in the Loiretal, halfway between Angers and Saumur. The winery extends over a total of 95 hectares.

The vines are sustainably managed according to the principles of ecological farming. The winery offers five wines, some of which are marked under the appellation Anjou: a 100 percent Cabernet Franc, a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Pinot Noir and a Syrah as well as a cuvée from the two varieties. Two rosé wines and four white wines, two Chardonnays and two Chenins complete the range. The wines are offered on site and in retail in France.

Carole Bouquet: Sangue d’Oro

We go to the south of Europe. Pantelleria is a small, 83 square kilometer volcanic island between Sicily and Tunisia. Here in Contrada Serraglio, French actress Carole Bouquet produces a nectar from the Muscat d’Alexandrie grape variety, here in collaboration with local winemakers and oenologists. Sangue d’Oro is made from dried grapes that are dried in the sun for two to three weeks after reading.

« We only produce 5,000 bottles a year from Sangue d’Oro, whereby we only use the best, » explains the Azienda Serraglia winery. This highly concentrated wine unfolds aromas of candied apricots and mangoes, citrus confit and honey. Like all big liqueur wines, Sangue d’Oro is very good, over 20 to 30 years. The 2014 vintage is currently available in Luxembourg for around 54 euros (50 cl).

Pierre Richard: Château Bel évêque

Back to France, more precisely to the Languedoc-Roussillon region, where actor Pierre Richard (La Moutarde Me Monte au Nez, La Chèvre) succumbed to the charm of Château Bel évêque about 40 years ago. The winery extends over 50 hectares of Garrigue and vineyards southwest of Gruissan in the Appellation Corbières and once belonged to the bishops of Narbonne.

Red wines from the Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Carignan, as well as rose and white wines are made here. The vineyard is managed according to the principles of integrated agriculture that close to biological agriculture.

The wines have been driven out in Luxembourg for a long time. The red wine Château Bel évêque 2022 is currently being offered for around 20.50 euros.

Luc Besson: Domaines Alquier and de Senaux

The director Luc Besson (author of « Le Grand Bleu / im Rausch der Depe », « Le Cinquième Élément / The Fifth Element » and « Léon ») is the owner of two wineries. First he invested in the Domaine Alquier in the Pyrénées-Orientales. This small, three-hectare winery is located at 160 meters and produces wines with the original names AOP Faugères and Saint-Chinian.

He also has shares in the Domaine de Senaux in Mézeilles, 30 kilometers northwest of Béziers, where he produces a red wine from a cuvée from Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan typical of the Hérault.