Among Gérard Bertrand 's wine estates , Château l'Hospitalet, located in the heart of the La Clape appellation, is also a renowned place for hospitality and the Mediterranean art of living.
Hospitality in the foreground
Above Château l'Hospitalet , a ridgeline rises to an altitude of 155 meters, overlooking the expanse of vineyards and the sea horizon. Immersed in 1000 hectares of garrigue scrubland, overlooking cliffs and ancient vineyards, the view is truly unique. A tall metal sculpture marks the spot from which the landscape unfolds in a 360-degree panorama. Below, the Château l'Hospitalet complex comes into view . Here, the hotel, a listed restaurant, and one of the finest wine shops, showcasing the opulent collection of Gérard Bertrand wines, coexist . Adjacent to the hotel, a vineyard plot, cultivated as an ampelographic conservatory, brings together some forty different grape varieties. Then, stretching across the surrounding hillsides, alongside several hundred olive trees, the estate's vineyards unfold.
Biodynamics as a virtue
The vineyard currently covers 110 hectares, cultivated since 2013 according to biodynamic viticulture principles, and officially certified in 2017. It is therefore understandable that, before being a renowned hospitality establishment nestled in a remarkable landscape, Château l'Hospitalet first and foremost boasts a wealth of qualities resulting from a virtuous approach to winemaking. It is no exaggeration to say that in this place, nature sets the pace and enhances the wines. This begins with the meticulous care given to the condition of the soils and their natural regeneration. On these lands entirely influenced by the Mediterranean climate, the preservation of the plant life, combined with the flourishing of its biodiversity, contributes to an essential richness. The choice of a biodynamic approach guarantees its highest expression. The grape varieties, for their part, reflect the natural characteristics of the terroir. For the reds, Syrah predominates, even including a plot dedicated to preserving old grape varieties. It grows alongside Grenache rouge , Carignan and Mourvèdre . In white wines, the typicity of the appellation is evident with Bourboulenc , which is combined with Grenache blanc , Roussanne , and Viognier.
Two great wines in signature
The natural potential of La Clape , when combined with careful respect for the laws of nature, inevitably leads to the production of great wines. Moreover, on an exceptional terroir, enhanced by the deliberate choice of biodynamic farming, efficiency is achieved with perfect simplicity. Thus, at Château l'Hospitalet , the vineyard's full potential is concentrated in two wines, one red, the other white. And the assurance that they combine virtuous expertise with the unique qualities of the terroir is expressed in two words highlighted in gold on the label: Grand Vin . Before vinification, the desired excellence begins with hand-harvesting and the exclusive use of indigenous yeasts. The terroir's characteristics, combined with the specificities of the grape varieties, thus achieve the most authentic density. In red wine, the Grand Vin de l'Hospitalet inherits its generosity from a patient maceration enhanced by 12 to 16 months of aging in oak barrels. With notes of spice and red fruit, it rests on silky tannins that define the elegance of the finest wines of La Clape . In white wine, the Mediterranean influence, reinforced by the qualities of the local Bourboulenc grape, yields a wine where citrus notes mingle with hints of garrigue, intertwined with a briny minerality typical of the terroir. Elegance and exacting standards are its hallmarks. These qualities permeate the entire Château l'Hospitalet estate.
The art of living 
At Château l'Hospitalet , chef Laurent Chabert dedicates his talent to directing the kitchens of the restaurant l' Art de Vivre, whose menu showcases a skillful marriage between local products and exceptional wines by Gérard Bertrand.