Pierre Richard is one of those actors who have marked the history of French cinema. In addition to the theater stages and film sets that he still encounters from time to time, the 89-year-old man discovered a passion late in life: viticulture. Discover his magnificent residence nestled in the heart of the vineyards, Château Bel Évêque, where it produces “ Pierre Richard Wines » for more than thirty years.
It was in 1986 that Pierre Richard met this winery located at Gruissan in Aude. This love at first sight happened by the greatest chance, the actor having absolutely not consideredinvest in this kind of atypical property. But as they say, destiny does things well.
Pierre Richard and his wife Ceyla Lacerda live in Gruissan in the Bel Évêque castle
“It was not premeditated at all. I didn’t come to buy a winery. Not even a domain of nothing at all. Nothing. It was a walk I took when I arrived from Paris because I didn’t know what to do with my secretary. When I arrived here it was quite grim, there were no flowers, nothing”he told the newspaper The Dispatch.
Faced with the magnitude of the task, the actor famous for his role as Grand Blond will roll up its sleeves to bring life back to this abandoned place. After retyping the building and its surroundings, Pierre Richard will be interested in the viticulture in order to produce wine using the vines on his estate. Here too, the work is difficult, because the latter is far from having the knowledge required to manage a vineyard.
photo credit: Instagram @stephaneboudonvanhille The entrance to the Château Bel Évêque by Pierre Richard
Pierre Richard wine producer thanks to the vines of his estate
The man also readily admits to having had complicated beginnings his knowledge was so limited: “Of the 20 hectares of vines, there were 12 to be replanted. To tell you how ignorant I was, I wanted to do it right away to have vin from the following year. I was told it took at least 3 years, more like 4! »he confided.
In this idyllic setting in the middle of nature, lulled by the song of cicadas, Pierre Richard improves, gains experience and ends up producing a wine which will experience some success. Moreover, the actor of the film The goat does not hesitate to combine business with pleasure by regularly organizing signing sessions with its customers around one of its good bottles.
Pierre Richard: his life as a winegrower in Aude which he shares with his wife Ceyla Lacerda
By his side, his wife Jayla Lacerdaa former Brazilian model, has been following him for over 30 years in his passion. Protected behind the walls of this castle, the couple lives away from prying eyes, far from the spotlight. A life that Pierre Richard would not trade for anything in the world. “I love everything here, the setting, the warmth, the proximity to nature, the small villages and their almost intact castles. It’s something I can’t find anywhere else.”he said.
This passion for wine has strengthened over the years to become a true reason for living who animates it every day. He also maintains a fusion relationship with his vines as he explains on his website: “As for my vinesI am attached to them as much as to real people… They are fragile and strong at the same time, I pamper them, like to take care of them and worry about them when the weather is not good”. Anyone who will celebrate their 90th birthday next August intends to make their little corner of paradise last beyond their death. In particular, he handed over management of its exploitation to his son Christophe in 2019.