Château Pape Clément Honours Stéphane Bern This Year

The Graves estate continues its tradition of naming an annual “pope,” this time celebrating a leading figure in French cultural heritage.

Few Bordeaux estates cultivate ritual with as much quiet constancy as Château Pape Clément. For three decades, the Graves grand cru has marked the approach of Saint Clement’s feast day with a distinctive gesture: the naming of an annual “pope,” a symbolic figure chosen for their contribution to French culture, craftsmanship, or intellectual life.

This year, the honour falls to Stéphane Bern, a figure whose dedication to heritage aligns naturally with the spirit of this venerable estate.