To design the label for the first vintage of the CERES Cuvée from Château Haut-Bages Liberal, François Houtin drew on his passion for trees and nature

A label to pay tribute to nature

The intricately detailed black-and-white design shows a vine climbing up a resilient old ash tree. Deep down in the ground, the roots of the tree intertwine with those of the vine, reflecting a relationship founded on mutual enrichment.

Created by François Houtin, the label adorning the CERES Cuvée perfectly encapsulates the lively and radiant spirit of this organic wine. Celebrating vines in their natural environment, this work of art showcases the plurality of plant life, erasing the borders between the different species.


A quest for meaning through artistic encounters

"The idea of the wild side of vines, which is only expressed if they are allowed to climb, spoke to me immediately", explained François Houtin, who was a landscape gardener in the early 1970s, before he trained in printmaking with Jean Delpech. In his works, he uses his in-depth understanding of plants to create fantastic worlds.

"François Houtin's art is very close to my heart," noted Claire Lurton, the owner of Château Haut-Bages Liberal and the driving force behind this first collaboration. "His work exploring the connection between trees and plants perfectly illustrates our approach, which promotes biodiversity and a more natural style of viticulture."
 

Strengthening the bonds between vines and nature

For nearly 15 years, Claire Lurton, owner of Château Haut-Bages Liberal and Château Ferrière - Classified Growths in 1855 in Pauillac and Margaux respectively - has been working alongside her husband Gonzague, owner of Château Durfort-Vivens - a Classified Growth in 1855 in Margaux - to convert their vineyards into organic and biodynamic agricultural operations. Today, the couple is in charge of the largest certified biodynamic cultivated area in the Bordeaux region.

On the Vertheuil plot, birthplace of the CERES Cuvée, this ambition has been taken to the next level. The main challenge lies in reintroducing the practices of agroecology and agroforestry to viticulture. Ultimately, these practices will be rolled out across all the vineyards.

"In the past, vineyards were bordered by hedges and populated with trees that contributed to biodiversity. With the growth of monoculture from the 1950s onwards, these practices gradually disappeared, leading to soil depletion over time. Our objective is to reintroduce ecological diversity in order to restore the natural richness of the earth," explained Claire Villars-Lurton.
 

A natural wine rooted in the fruit and soil

Nearly 1,000 trees will be planted over time, all carefully chosen to coexist in synergy with the vines. Cover crops are also being cultivated to sequester carbon and combat global warming.

On this 8-hectare plot, a complete ecosystem is gradually coming back to life. "Trees provide shelter and cover for birds and insects, which help to fight disease. The vines, trees and plants all work to share and redistribute nutrients," explained Claire Villars-Lurton.

This symbiosis is beautifully illustrated by François Houtin's original work, specially created for the label of the first vintage of the CERES Cuvée.

About François Houtin

Born on 25 August 1950, François Houtin is a French printmaker. After working as a landscape gardener with Jacques Bédat and Franz Baechler in the early 1970s, François Houtin studied printmaking in Paris with Jean Delpech. Although printmaking is still his preferred mode of expression, François Houtin also creates drawings on Chinese notebooks (leporellos), and has been honing his Indian ink wash drawings on paper and canvas since 2002. 

François Houtin has designed multiple square scarves for Hermès and, in 2010, he created an earthenware table service: Les Maisons enchantées. He is also known for his murals, including the monochrome plant-inspired design in the Artcurial restaurant at the Champs Elysées roundabout in Paris, painted in 2010.

François Houtin occasionally works as a landscape architect, playing a role in the renovation of the Tuileries Gardens in 1990. His horticultural creations also include the Colette and Hubert Sainte-Beuve topiary garden in Plant-Bessin (Castillon), Normandy.


About the CERES Cuvée from Haut-Bages Libéral

Natural wine with no added sulphur, organic approval and one year of Demeter conversion. 

Vineyard: eight hectares in the Haut-Médoc appellation, managed using agroecology and agroforestry practices.

Grape variety: 100% Merlot.

Tasting notes: A fruit-driven wine with floral notes on the nose and on the palate. Supple tannins with a fresh chalky texture and good acidity with a long finish. Drink immediately or within two to three years, depending on the ageing conditions.


Contact

Maeva Senechau | maeva.senechau@GC-Lurton.com | 07 57 47 62 49
Antoine Cassagne-Latute I contact@24presse.com I 06 12 31 22 66