Our Story
Time to meet everyone
Derrière chaque grand vigneron, il y a une femme encore plus impressionnante ! Elizabeth Bernard, c’est l’âme (et la poigne !)
C’est grâce à son charisme irrésistible que le domaine porte fièrement le nom de Château Bois D’Arlène. Comme une reine de la nature, Arlène insuffle à chaque coin du domaine une élégance et une harmonie qui se retrouvent dans chaque bouteille.
Philippe Bernard, Vigneron et pépiniériste, il élève ses ceps comme d’autres élèvent des champions. Magicien du terroir, il transforme de simples boutures en vins d’exception. Avec lui, la vigne pousse heureuse… et le vin coule joyeux !
Scientifique dans l’âme, amoureux du vin Norge décortique chaque goutte comme un alchimiste en quête du nectar parfait.
Bois d’Arlène is, above all, a tale of connection and friendship—born from a fateful meeting decades ago that blossomed into a shared vision: to breathe new life into the estate and craft wines of rare distinction.
Set in the heart of a unique natural landscape, the estate was once a 13th-century sheepfold. Abandoned for years, the ruined buildings had stood the test of time, marked by the vagaries of history.
In 2013, the two friends took the bold gamble of buying the estate and bringing it back to life, restoring the building and creating a winery. United by a common purpose, Norge and Philippe have fashioned a place where nature and know-how are fully expressed, giving birth to a truly unique estate.
The Vineyards
When they took over the estate, the vineyard bore the marks of time: neglected, it was in need of new life. With Philippe’s expertise and his nursery, nearly 80% of the vines were replanted, carefully selecting traditional Vacqueyras grape varieties—such as Terret Noir, Brun Argenté, Counoise, and Piquepoul Noir—while also incorporating those considered most harmonious with their terroir: Sérine, Picpoul, and Vermentino.
The estate rests on an exceptional terroir, a mix of rolling pebbles, limestone gravel, and brown clay. This geological richness gives birth to complex and distinctive wines.
But what truly makes our vineyard unique is the presence of the pond (L’Étang des Garrigues), located just steps away from our vine rows. A natural regulator, this pond brings welcome freshness under our generous sun. It plays an essential role in balancing our wines, imparting tension, depth, and a rare finesse.
Thanks to this interaction between the living soils, surrounding biodiversity, and climatic influences, every parcel at Bois d’Arlène expresses a unique terroir. Here, we cultivate sincere, elegant wines deeply rooted in their natural environment.
The Winery
They imagined a winery where tradition and modernity engage in thoughtful dialogue. Conceived and brought to life by Norge and Philippe, this winemaking space embodies their pursuit of precision and harmony—where every gesture honors the grape.
Arranged like an amphitheater, the winery follows a natural gravity flow. This setup minimizes mechanical handling, preserving the integrity of the grapes and encouraging a gentle extraction that stays true to what the vine offers.
Inspired by the principles of the Toyota Production System—where every design choice is guided by care for both the wine and those who craft it—Norge and Philippe shaped a nimble, intuitive space where nothing is left to chance. It is within this purposeful setting that their cuvées are brought to life, with precision and unwavering dedication.
Our commitment
We strive for a true balance between the land, the vines and the environment. Respecting the living world means understanding that each element of the terroir interacts with the others.
We cultivate our vines with a sustainable vision that respects the living world. Preserving the ecosystem is at the heart of our approach: we encourage biodiversity and integrate
healthy practices, such as the use of animals to control weeds.
This philosophy continues with spontaneous vinification, allowing each cuvée to express itself freely. Our commitment is based on the balance between nature, vines and wine
