Frédéric Berne, a committed winemaker
Born in 1985 in Les Ardillats, Frédéric Berne is a child of the Beaujolais region. Born into a farming family, he grew up in the heart of the vineyards, developing a passion for agriculture and winegrowing at an early age. After a vocational baccalaureate in oenology and viticulture, in 2014 he set up in Lantignié, at Château des Vergers, where he cultivates 13 hectares of vines producing several emblematic crus: Morgon, Chiroubles, Régnié and Moulin-à-Vent.
Convinced of the importance of preserving the soil and biodiversity, Frédéric quickly converted his estate to organic farming, then took the process a step further by adopting agro-ecology. His aim: to restore the vitality of the soil and encourage a natural balance in his vines. Over the space of a decade, he was delighted to see the positive effects of this transition, observing a rapid regeneration of nature and an improvement in the quality of the crops.
With this in mind, he co-created the ‘Vignerons du Vivant en Beaujolais’ association, which now brings together 22 winegrowers ready to make the transition to agro-ecology. He is also the founder of the "Vignerons et Terroirs de Lantignié" (Lantignié Winegrowers and Terroirs) initiative, which promotes the quality of Lantignié's terroirs, with an environmental dimension aimed at preserving biodiversity, improving soil fertility and ensuring that plants are in good health so as to bring out the best in their terroirs.
Passionate about his job, Frédéric likes to share his knowledge and his attachment to the terroir. He is developing wine tourism on his estate, offering tours, tastings, walks and even a treasure hunt to help people discover Beaujolais in a different way. For him, this region is much more than just a vineyard: it's a unique landscape that needs to be developed.
Right from the start of the Geopark initiative, he was actively involved in obtaining the UNESCO label and became one of the project's first ambassadors. Now a Geopartner, it incorporates the richness of the soil and the geology into its tours and raises visitors' awareness of this heritage.
The meetings offered by the Geopark have also enabled him to forge links with other local enthusiasts, such as Eddy Bardin, with whom he recently devised a tour of the wild plants found in and around the vineyards.
Every day, his contact with nature and the encounters he makes reinforce Frédéric's conviction that Beaujolais is a living land that needs to be preserved and showcased. And it's with great enthusiasm that he continues to pass on this passion through his work and his commitment to the Beaujolais Geopark.
Photo credit: Benoît Giraud
