By V. Sivaji from Langkawi
Pierre-Gilles Gromand d’Evry carries more than just a discerning eye for the perfect vintage — he carries a legacy. A direct descendant of an unbroken lineage of French vintners, Pierre can trace his family’s winemaking roots back over a thousand years, to the year 1100s.
From the rolling vineyards of medieval France to the crystal chandeliers of modern wine salons, his family’s story is etched into the history of viticulture.
Hailing from the prestigious Bordeaux region, the very heart of French winemaking — the Gromand d’Evry name is synonymous with excellence. Their wines have graced the tables of kings, emperors, and nobility for centuries.
From the courts of Louis XIV to the private cellars of European aristocrats, their labels have been poured at historic banquets and royal celebrations. Some bottles are even rumored to have survived revolutions and wars, tucked away in ancient cellars, waiting to be rediscovered.
Recently, Pierre-Gilles brought a taste of that storied legacy to Southeast Asia, attending the exclusive Les Grands Chais de France (GCF) private wine session at The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi.
Held against the backdrop of the Andaman Sea, the two-day event was an intimate gathering of connoisseurs, distributors, retailers and sommeliers collectors and a rare opportunity to taste rare vintages and connect with the stories behind the bottles.
Dressed in a simple yet elegant style, he comes across as a quiet confidence of someone who knows wine is in his blood, Pierre shared anecdotes of ancient harvests and modern innovations. “Each of our bottles,” he explained, “is not just wine. It is history. It is family. It is the land — speaking through the grape.”
Despite his deep ties to tradition, Pierre-Gilles is also a man of the future. Under his guidance, the family estate has embraced sustainable practices and biodynamic farming. He believes that the future of winemaking lies in harmony with nature, just as his ancestors once did, centuries ago, using the lunar calendar and intuition.
Langkawi may be thousands of kilometers from Bordeaux, but for one evening, with the clinking of glasses and the swirling of deep red vintages, the spirit of old France was alive — brought forth by a man who embodies a millennium of passion, craftsmanship, and unwavering dedication to the art of wine.
Among their top wine brands and marque bottles are their Château Cap de Haut (Cru Bourgeois, Haut‑Médoc) – This flagship estate is run by Pierre‑Gilles and Marie‑Hélène on the left bank of the Gironde. The 11 ha vineyard consistently produces a refined Grand Vin vinified separately and aged in Alliers oak barrels , D de Lamarque Haut‑Médoc – A powerful and elegant Bordeaux red from their Gromand d’Evry winery. It strikes a fine balance between acidity and tannins—ideal with beef, lamb,or game dishes, Château de Lamarque (Haut‑Médoc) – Although closely related to Château Cap de Haut, this label emphasizes vineyard innovation. Marie‑Hélène adopted meticulous plot-level mapping and crop thinning, optimizing varietal balance by increasing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot for richer, more structured wines.