Prieure Saint-Jean de Bebian

Prieuré Saint-Jean de Bébian, famous among Languedoc wine lovers since the 1980s, is making a remarkable comeback on the wine scene with wines of exceptional elegance. Under the direction of Benoît Pontenier, advised by Jura winemaker Jean-François Ganevat, the estate has adopted biodynamic viticulture, marking a significant turning point in its culture. The mastery of vinification, carried out without the use of sulphur, gives rise to wines of rare subtlety, whether white or red, embodying the finest in the Languedoc.

However, the estate has gone through a number of different periods. In the 1970s, Alain Roux planted massal selections of top Rhone and Mediterranean grape varieties, such as Syrah from Domaine Chave, Mouvèdre from Domaine Tempier, and Grenache from Château Rayas. In 1994, the estate was acquired by Chantal Lecouty and Jean-Claude Brun, former directors of the Revue du Vin de France, who became winemakers. They produced full-bodied, sun-drenched wines at a time when the Languedoc, although considered a new Eldorado, was struggling to gain recognition.

Since 2015, Benoît Pontenier has taken over the reins of the 19-hectare estate, seeking to breathe new life into the estate with a renewed style. Particular care is given to the quality of the grapes, and the growing methods adopted are respectful of nature. Long maturing in tuns and partial whole harvests for the reds have helped to produce wines of great purity, refreshing with delicate tannins.