The grape cluster and the apiary in Fleurie

In Fleurie, a town located in the Beaujolais crus region, Raphaël Perret created "La grappe et le rucher" six years ago. His credo? To produce a range of high-quality local honeys, deliberately limited to apiaries located near his home.

When he welcomes visitors, Raphaël Perret generously shares his knowledge of beekeeping. He also likes to talk about his local area, which holds "quite a few unexpected little things" that can pique the curiosity of "people who come to visit the region not just for the wine."
Tasting these honeys is like tasting the wild nature of Beaujolais. On the palate, they have the sweetness of candy with delicate aromas. These are the aromas of plant essences gathered by bees in the woods and meadows of the surrounding high hills.

The call of the bees

A native of Beaujolais, Raphaël Perret has the profile of those individuals with atypical career paths. His profession as a beekeeper is the result of a career change that began in 2020, following a career as a high-level athlete in Quebec.

He readily compares the beginning of this beekeeping adventure to the "chance" of life. As he explains, "we've always had beehives" in the family. And while the idea of ​​setting them up again was suggested by his brother, he adds that "the passion quickly swept him away" to maintain the tradition.

Imagine his honey house nestled in the hollow of the vineyard slopes, whose steepness forces the winemaker to work by hand; from his home, one can see the Madonna of Fleurie perched atop its hill. This beautiful, typical landscape is characterized by a high-altitude vineyard that quickly gives way to the forested Haut-Beaujolais.

When you visit him in the spring, a colorful patch, a mix of crimson clover, cornflowers, poppies and borage, catches the eye. There begins the Republic of Bees of "The Grape and the Apiary" on land that was occupied by vines until recently.

Beekeepers' secrets

Once settled on his new property, formerly a vineyard, Raphaël Perret began by uprooting the vines. In their place, he planted a wildflower meadow, a source of pollen located within easy reach of beehives specifically designed for pollination. There, the queen bees that will found his colonies are born.

Creating a product intimately linked to the local terroir is a choice he fully embraces, even if it means offering only spring, acacia, mountain, and forest honeys. Furthermore, "vigilant about the location of his apiaries," he specifies that they are chosen within a 50-kilometer radius, located at the furthest point in the Ain and Saône-et-Loire departments.

There's no need to elaborate further, because as he describes it, "the very high diversity of pollen" in the area is what makes Beaujolais honey so rich. His honeys contain no blends and are never sterilized.

Furthermore, he specifies that he trained "with experienced individuals." Beyond technical skills, he has acquired a keen sense of observation of nature. This almost instinctive knowledge is essential for identifying the optimal harvest time, when the honey flows—periods of abundant nectar flow—are at their peak.

“Knowing when to arrive and leave,” reveals Raphaël Perret, “contributes to the quality of beekeeping vintages. The precision of each step contributes to the creation of balanced honeys that fully express their natural aromas.”

Taste the vintages of the Beaujolais bees

Our beekeeper says that his honey reminds him of "the honey of yesteryear".

Acacia is the most prized variety, prized for its fruitiness and sweetness. The forest variety, on the other hand, is more robust, dominated by the bitterness of chestnut, which balances its sweetness. Finally, the mountain wines, made from blends of wild fruit trees and wildflowers, develop a mentholated aroma of linden on the palate.

To share his passion, Raphaël Perret welcomes the public for immersive tours, " Mornings at the apiary After a discussion about the life of bee colonies in the honey house buildings, visitors, wearing carefully sealed suits, approach the hives up close. This is a special moment to observe the insects at work, handle the frames with their honey-filled cells, and take the time to listen to the captivating melody of their buzzing.

"Mornings at the Apiary" Tours

From June to September, Beaujolais Tourisme organizes " Meetings at a Producer's"

Step inside the farms and discover what goes on behind the scenes at the places where many Beaujolais regional specialties are made. These tours are led by the producers themselves!

"Mornings at the apiary" visits, every Sunday morning – Prior registration required.

Contact and purchase of honey

The grape cluster and the apiary

Raphaël Perret

69820 FLEURIE

Such. 07 67 16 04 58 – Honey purchase by appointment only

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