“Casa de uva”, a wine pop-up store and three coliving rooms, is coming to Béziers

Blandine and Richard Bertrand are soon opening their original concept of wine pop-up and coliving rooms in the same building, next to the market halls. Antonia Jimenez – Midi Libre

Blandine and Richard Bertrand are going to open "Casa de uva", at 13 rue Paul-Riquet, in Béziers, a wine pop-up store (boutique) where twelve winegrowers will take turns during the year (for a month), to demonstrate their know-how. The work is in progress.

In a city like Béziers, new developments in viticulture are always a great success. It is with this idea in mind that Blandine and Richard Bertrand decided to embark on a most unusual adventure: opening a wine pop-up store in the heart of the city, called “Casa de uva” (grape house, in Spanish). Work is underway for an opening scheduled for February or March.

These two Parisians, who had recently settled in Valras-Plage while waiting to buy a house in Béziers, already knew the city of Riquet well: Richard's grandfather, Aimé Bertrand, was mayor of Cazouls-lès-Béziers for twenty years, from 1953 to 1973. After a career, for Richard in show production, notably of drag queens, and, for Blandine, in communication, publishing and events, the couple, who also offered coliving rooms in Paris for more than 15 years, decided to come and live in Béziers. “We came regularly and saw all the transformations of the city” . He therefore looked for a building for sale that matched their project, which he found right next to the market halls, at 13 rue Paul-Riquet.

Twelve producers will follow one another during the year

“The idea is therefore to install this shop dedicated to producers on the ground floor, and on the four floors, to create a co-living space with three bedrooms”, explains Richard Bertrand.

Pop-up store, coliving… Aren’t these concepts too Parisian for a city like Béziers? ? “Not at all, Béziers is moving, transforming, attracting more and more people, many people, from other regions or foreigners, have chosen to live there for some time. A coworking space, in Faubourg, has even opened, absolutely magnificent! In a city with a wine culture like Béziers, we can only believe in our pop-up store project.”

A high-end kitchen and three bedrooms

The building has been renovated with a wine theme. An ironworker created the stair railings inspired by the vine. In the 35 m2 shop, twelve winemakers will take turns during the twelve months of the year to present their wines and their work to the public. To help them, Richard and Blandine will take care of the marketing plan with partnerships already signed with the local media and the tourist office. “Tasting evenings will take place. Artists will take turns exhibiting, and we will highlight the Wine of the Month in nearby restaurants. It's a partnership between know-how and making it known”, Blandine's summary.

The first floor has been converted into a communal kitchen, the three upper levels into three bedrooms of 15 to 20 m2, with bathroom, air conditioning, safe, Wifi, videophone, office… for medium-term rental. “Rooms intended for a nomadic clientele, increasingly important in Béziers in view of the various projects undertaken. A place suitable for this new way of living, of working.” Total cost of the investment: 500,000 euros.

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