L'Aventure Cuvée
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An Exclusive Release
We are thrilled to announce a one-time release of L'Aventure Cuvée: an offering that has been years in the making. This release celebrates Arnaud and Guillaume Fabre's two-decade-long relationship with Stephan Asseo as a mentor, friend, and cherished family member. Since the project's conception nearly five years ago, this release commemorates the Fabre brothers' long-time collaboration with Stephan and James Mousley, the artist who curated the painting and label art.
Crafted with the utmost attention to quality, these wines are a testament to our dedication and artistry. This release features a duo of a 2020 and 2021 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot co-fermentation, exclusively from the L'Aventure Vineyard. We’ve spared no detail in making this release truly extraordinary—from the exclusive L'Aventure-sourced grapes and extended aging in both barrel and bottle, to the meticulously designed label artwork and luxurious packaging and collaterals that accompany each set.
Available exclusively to BENOM members. Each bottle will be encoded and uniquely numbered with Near Field Communication (NFC), which links directly to your name, making it personally yours.
Please note that quantities are extremely limited and will sell out. Allocations will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Story
BENOM x L'Aventure
Guillaume Fabre, co-proprietor and winemaker of BENOM, first set foot in Paso Robles in 2005, leaving behind the picturesque Languedoc-Rousillon and Bordeaux regions of France for what he thought would be a brief three-month internship with Stephan Asseo, the visionary behind L'Aventure. Little did he know that both Stephan and the Paso Robles terroir would change the trajectory of his life.
What began as a short stint quickly evolved—three months became six, and soon, an offer to become Assistant Winemaker at L'Aventure followed. Upon returning to France and after deep reflection, Guillaume made the life-changing decision to come back to Paso Robles for good, this time accompanied by his love, Solène, to begin a new chapter together.
For six years, Guillaume worked closely with Stephan, absorbing every ounce of knowledge and insight. Their bond deepened so much that Stephan began referring to Guillaume as his “spiritual son.” This connection became official when Guillaume’s brother, Arnaud Fabre, co-proprietor of BENOM, fell in love with Chloe, Stephan’s daughter, joining the two families forever.
In 2020 and 2021, the Fabre brothers were given an opportunity almost as precious as familial ties—Stephan entrusted them with two harvests of L'Aventure grapes for exclusive BENOM-produced vintages of L'Aventure Cuvée. These masterful blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, inspired by a classic Bordeaux blend, honor Stephan's dedication and expertise and his influence on the BENOM brothers. The wines embody elegance and tradition, serving as a heartfelt tribute to their mentor, friend, and family, Stephan Asseo.
The Wine
L'Aventure Cuvée
The L'Aventure Cuvée is a showcase of the heart and soul of what Arnaud and Guillaume set out to achieve when they came to Paso Robles—crafting wines that push boundaries while staying true to their French roots. These one-of-a-kind cuvées are an elevated expression of BENOM's artistry, featuring 2020 and 2021 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot co-fermentations.
What makes these wines so remarkable is not just their Bordeaux-inspired blend but the profound attention to detail in their creation. The fruit for the L'Aventure Cuvée was sourced exclusively from Block Two of L’Aventure Vineyard, which is highlighted in gold leaf on the painting and gold on the label art. These wines also benefit from extended aging, spending 24 months in barrels and one to two years in bottle.
The result is a wine that is bold and opulent yet graceful, with layers of rich, dark fruit, structured tannins, and a beautifully elegant finish. It is a rare combination of Old World tradition and New World creativity, epitomizing the pioneering spirit that brought Arnaud, Guillaume, and Stephan to Paso Robles.
The Art
Artist Statement
James Mousley’s art takes shape with its prime inspiration, field of consciousness, and perception, and plays on the subtle interplay of our senses. Having completed a B.A. Honors in Drawing and Painting at Edinburgh College of Art in 2005, James developed a high level of skill and experience in nearly all areas of design and artwork. His technique of creating works with gold leaf has been part of a series that has developed over the last 16 years. With exhibitions around the world, James is now a Central Coast local with works based on the inspiration to be found all around in this special part of the world.
Behind the Art
Arnaud Fabre and James Mousley’s paths first crossed at an intimate gathering of mutual friends. Seated side by side, a conversation began that would soon spark a creative collaboration. As Arnaud learned of James' artistry, specializing in gold leaf paintings, an idea began to take shape.
When the moment arrived to craft the label for the L'Aventure Cuvée wines, Arnaud immediately envisioned James bringing his vision to life. Through a series of inspired discussions, James conjured a breathtaking masterpiece: an ethereal gold leaf painting that immortalized the L'Aventure Vineyard, with a section of gold highlighting the block where the grapes were harvested.
For the label, the intricate gold leaf was extracted to create a silhouette of the vineyard with the O in BENOM representing the sun. Reproductions of the original painting, a grand 36 by 48-foot statement piece, are available for purchase. Additionally, smaller sizes are available in a 24x36 or 12x24 size.
Photo Gallery
