The Pichon Comtesse
Prize
Our commitment to contemporary musical creation
ORIGINS
Wine is a civilization
True to its philosophy that “wine is a civilization”, Pichon Comtesse wanted to go beyond simply creating a product and really embrace art and culture, which form an integral part of its identity.
Pichon Comtesse is extending its cultural commitments by helping the Louis Roederer Foundation create a world-class music prize inspired by the vision of its Managing Director and Winemaker Nicolas Glumineau, who believes that clear parallels can be drawn between composing fine wine and music. Indeed, both are the result of an intimate dialogue between interpreting a living heritage and pure creativity.
This new undertaking is deeply rooted in a strong sense of legitimacy, since Nicolas Glumineau is not only an agricultural engineer and enologist, but also a trained musician. He studied under the aegis of the opera singer Irène Jarsky — a leading figure of contemporary music — at the Conservatoire National in Bordeaux, and has a profound sensibility for writing and performing music, as well as the time it takes to make a great composition. Audrey Bazin, the Artistic Director of the Louis Roederer Foundation, wanted to encapsulate the convergence between viticultural high standards and operatic discipline by establishing an innovative partnership with the Philharmonie de Paris.
THE PICHON COMTESSE PRIZE
Created to celebrate the high standards of creativity
This biennial prize rewarding musical composition aims to support young talent in conjunction with the French National Centers for Musical Creation (CNCM). It serves as a springboard for experimental contemporary music and is intended to be a long-term initiative.
Beyond showcasing talent, this prize was designed to endorse creativity in all its dimensions. The Louis Roederer Foundation will reward the winning creation by donating 5,000 euros, reflecting our shared desire to praise the artists’ dedication towards their art and recognize the culmination of their hard work.
As Nicolas Glumineau highlights :
“We aim to honor a composition or a work rather than a single candidate because a creation can be the result of a dialogue or even a trialogue between several artists.”
This desire to acknowledge the achievements of artists resonates deeply with our values. It is strongly attuned to the attention to detail, respect and high standards implemented by our teams in Pauillac on a daily basis in the vineyard and cellar.
« We aim to honor a composition or a work rather than a single candidate... »
Nicolas Glumineau
FROM PARIS TO PAUILLAC
Cultural decentralization
The Pichon Comtesse Prize unfolds in several stages, creating a bridge between the French capital and the Bordeaux terroir:
- Commissioning: In the first year, the Philharmonie de Paris collaborates with French National Centers for Musical Creation to scout and showcase promising talent, irrespective of their artistic style. Each of these artists is commissioned to create an original composition.
- Creating: The following year, each original composition is performed at the Philharmonie de Paris Symphonic Hall during the EXPLORE festival, co-created with the Louis Roederer Foundation.
- Resonating: The winning piece, announced at the end of the festival, is then celebrated during a special concert in the heart of our estate.
By welcoming the winning artists to Pauillac, we actively contribute to taking culture outside of the capital.
Château Pichon Comtesse thus establishes itself as a vibrant, unique space where music and wine converge and where artistic expression and contemporary creativity are praised.
THE PICHON COMTESSE PRIZE
First Edition 2026
For this inaugural edition, the commissioned musical works were performed during the Music Promenade concert held on Monday 13 April 2026 as part of the EXPLORE festival at the Philharmonie de Paris.
A jury of international experts.
To guarantee the highest artistic standards, the winner will be chosen by an international jury made up of famous figures in the music industry.
Alongside Nicolas Glumineau, the 2026 jury is comprised of:
- Cecilia Balestra (artistic director, Milano Musica Festival)
- Sivan Eldar (composer)
- Lina Lapelyte (artist and musician)
- Lydia Rilling (artistic director, Donaueschingen Music Festival)
- Alexandre Bazin (composer and documentary filmmaker)
- Edouard Fouré Caul-Futy (co-director of concerts & shows for the Philharmonie de Paris)
- Hampus Lindwall (musician and programmer for the concert series Les Inspirations Visibles)
Artists of the 2026 edition.
The festival celebrates the original compositions of the following artists and their unique, exploratory universes:
Elise Dabrowski, double bass / vocals;
Alvise Sinivia, piano / prepared piano;
Clara Levy, violin;
Anthony Laguerre, drums / amplified drums;
Julien Desprez, electric guitar / tap dancing / foot percussion / vocals;
Annabelle Playe, electro-acoustic singer;
Isabelle Duthoit, clarinet / vocals;
Jean Philippe Gross, synthesizers / electronics.
The winning work will be presented during a concert at Château Pichon Comtesse in Pauillac in autumn 2026.
The jury awarded the prize to the composition 60. O’Lamiento by artist Alvise Sinivia.
Vintages
set to music
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