Chateau Bellevue la Randee

JJean Luc Thunevin, a central figure in Saint-Emilion, has had an unconventional path to his success in the wine industry. He transitioned from a lumberjack to a bank clerk, a DJ, and eventually opened a bric-a-brac shop in Saint-Emilion in the late '80s. His foray into the wine world began when he opened a wine bar, which quickly became the hotspot in town. In 1989, Jean Luc and his wife Murielle purchased 0.6 hectares of land, naming it Château Valandraud. With no money but plenty of hope and conviction, they produced their first cuvée of 1,300 bottles in their garage. The 1991 vintage of Château Valandraud, Jean Luc's famous "garage wine," quickly gained recognition and acclaim, creating a buzz not only in Bordeaux but around the world. In 2012, Château Valandraud became a First Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Emilion, just 20 years after its humble beginnings.