Thomas Keller, Beeple & Barrett Wissman Launch Tous Les Jours 621 By Domus Artium Reserve

THE ART OF WINE , FINE DINING, AND THE VISUAL ARTS

CHEF THOMAS KELLER, RENOWNED ARTIST BEEPLE, AND WINEMAKER MICHEL ROLLAND COLLABORATE ON A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND IMMERSIVE WINE EXPERIENCE TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF TOUS LES JOURS 621 BY DOMUS ARTIUM RESERVE.

Photo Credit: Domus Artium Reserve

Each year, the first week of December marks the beginning of an electrifying time in Miami: Art Basel Miami Beach. This week brings together some of the greatest minds from various industries to celebrate and explore the evolving definition of art. Art is often open to interpretation and subjective, but there is one thing it is always considered: inviting.

In an unprecedented collaboration, renowned chef Thomas Keller, acclaimed digital artist Beeple (Mike Winkelmann), and esteemed winemaker Michel Rolland have come together to create a unique art experience that intertwines wine, dining, and fine art. This trifecta of visionaries invites each other to immerse themselves in their respective worlds, offering an extraordinary opportunity for guests to engage with a fusion of culinary and artistic excellence.

At the helm of the culinary world, chef Keller has become synonymous with excellence and innovation. As a chef and owner, he has redefined the standards of hospitality through his collection of world-renowned restaurants, and is the first and only American-born chef to hold multiple three-star ratings from the Michelin Guide for both The French Laundry and Per If. Additionally, The Surf Club Restaurant has earned a Michelin star, making him the most decorated American chef in Michelin history. This legacy solidifies his status as one of the most influential figures in modern gastronomy.

In the domain of fine wine, Michel Rolland is a legendary figure widely recognized as one of the most influential living winemakers. He has been dubbed “the king of the blend” for his remarkable expertise. As a consultant to hundreds of estates across 13 countries, Rolland has shaped wines celebrated by critics and enthusiasts alike. In addition to his consulting work, he is also an owner and partner in several ventures and collaborations with some of the world’s most renowned wineries. In France, he has worked with prestigious estates such as Château Angelus, Château Figeac, Château Phélan Ségur, Château Ausone, Château Pontet-Canet, and Château Pape Clément. His influence extends to Italy, where he has contributed to iconic labels like Masseto, Ornellaia, and Caprai. In the United States, he has worked with celebrated wineries, including Screaming Eagle, Harlan Estate, Bond, Dalla Valle, Bryant, Staglin, and Realm.

And on the art front, Beeple is a groundbreaking American digital artist, graphic designer, and animator. He is renowned for his innovative use of various media, creating surreal and often humorous works that provide sharp political and social commentary, frequently featuring pop culture figures. The British auction house Christie’s has referred to him as “a visionary digital artist at the forefront of NFTs” as he gained global recognition when his NFT, Everydays: The First 5000 Days — a collage of images from his “Everydays” series — was sold for $69 million on March 12, 2021. This event marked the first purely non-fungible token ever auctioned by Christie’s. Later, on November 9, 2021, another of his works, HUMAN ONE, sold at Christie’s for $29 million. This seven-foot-tall, dynamically evolving hybrid sculpture combines physical and digital elements, which Beeple described as “the first portrait of a human born in the metaverse.”

Since then, Beeple’s artwork has been showcased globally in both solo and group exhibitions. He has collaborated on projects with LVMH, and in 2023, launched Beeple Studios, a 50,000-square-foot facility in Charleston, SC. This space includes offices, lab areas, a white-wall gallery, and an immersive experiential area dedicated to digital art.

Photo Credit: Domus Artium Reserve

Together, they have created an artful masterpiece: Tous Les Jours 621, a Bordeaux Right Bank wine, with the label designed by Beeple. This wine, produced by Domus Artium Reserve, is crafted by Rolland in Fronsac and is the inaugural release from his collaboration with Keller. Hand-selected for The French Laundry, Per Se, and other establishments within the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, this 100 percent Merlot exemplifies precision and excellence.

For Keller, it’s all about integrating premium quality into his craft. “I always seek out the best of the best, and being part of Domus Artium Reserve has afforded me this incredible opportunity to work together with Michel on crafting this unique wine.”

Sourced from the clay and limestone soils of Fronsac, the 50-year-old vines impart rich flavors and complexity to the wine. Before fermentation, the grapes undergo a double sorting process and are then fermented in thermoregulated wooden and steel tanks. Following this, malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak barrels, with 40 percent of the barrels being new. The wine matures for 18 months in French oak, with 60 percent of the barrels also being new, which adds structure, richness, and subtle toasty notes.

The 2018 vintage, harvested between October 15 and 22, benefited from an Indian summer, resulting in perfectly ripened grapes with thick skins and balanced flavors. Select parcels were vinified using whole or lightly crushed grapes, and occasionally whole bunches, which enhanced the wine’s depth and character. This refined Fronsac Merlot showcases elegance, finesse, and the artistry of exceptional winemaking.

Photo Credit: Courtesy

To celebrate the launch of Tous Les Jours 621 on December 5 during Art Basel Miami Beach, an extraordinary evening of art and culinary excellence will be held at Keller’s The Surf Club Restaurant. Guests will enjoy an aperitif and dinner curated by Keller, paired with the new wine, and inspired by Beeple — a first-of-its-kind collaboration. Hosted by Domus Artium Reserve, the evening will feature their latest creation, Tous Les Jours 621. The exceptional event will present a unique opportunity to engage with Beeple while appreciating Keller and Rolland’s artistry in an unforgettable setting.

In fact, Domus Artium Reserve is what has brought this extraordinary collaboration to life. The spirit of artistic collaboration is at the heart of Domus Artium Reserve, an ambitious venture that unites some of the most celebrated names in wine, cuisine, art, and cinema. This exclusive private club is dedicated to celebrating excellence across these disciplines, offering unparalleled experiences in the visual, performing, and cinematic arts.

The vision for Domus Artium Reserve was conceived by Barrett Wissman. A trained concert pianist, Wissman has had a career as a musician, entrepreneur, and philanthropist grounded in his belief in the transformative power of collaboration. He is the Chairman Emeritus of IMG Artists, the leading global firm in performing arts talent management, touring, event production, and consulting for over two decades. With a lifetime dedicated to promoting cultural arts, Wissman has developed a unique ability to connect burgeoning talents, creating experiences that go beyond individual contributions.

Wissman’s mission was to unite the finest minds in wine, gastronomy, and art to create something truly exceptional. Together, they formed an innovative team, blending their expertise to elevate Domus Artium Reserve into a hub for unparalleled cultural and sensory experiences. Domus Artium Reserve plans to establish exclusive clubhouses worldwide, starting with the historic Palazzo Ruspoli in Rome. Members will have the opportunity to enjoy unique culinary, wine, and arts events while hosting gatherings — à la the upcoming Miami Beach Art Basel event.

The bottle label itself is a work of art. Keller, captivated by Beeple’s artistry, invited him to create a concept, narrative, and label that would encapsulate the winemaking journey — from vineyard to barrel to bottle. This creation chronicles the winemaking process through Beeple’s iconic “Everydays” series, which began on October 18, 2018, when the wine entered the barrels, and concluded on June 30, 2020, with its bottling — spanning 621 days. The label is a collage that merges all 621 images into one cohesive masterpiece.

Photo Credit: Domus Artium Reserve Photo Credit: Domus Artium Reserve

“Chef Keller and I met through a mutual friend about six months ago,” Beeple explains. “We started to kick around the idea of ​​doing something connected to the new wine that paired digital art with an eating experience, ultimately aiming to create something new. We began to explore the similarities between our different crafts and repeatedly returned to the concept of time. In my project, “Everydays,” time plays a significant role; in fact, the project is based on time.”

Tous Les Jours 621 is actually Beeple’s foray into wine. “It is exciting to step out of my comfort zone and try to do something different. Learning about this subculture of food and wine is quite different, yet extremely interesting to me,” he reveals. “It is surreal,” he adds.

Since Beeple’s famous NFT sale in 2021, he opened Beeple Studios in Charleston, South Carolina, where they have hosted thousands of people for art-infused events like Pepefest, Deathfest, and CyrptoPunks meet up to show that digital art is another beautiful art medium. Most recently, Beeple Studios hosted an event for the launch of Tous Les Jours 621. As Beeple and Keller wandered through the lively kitchen in Charleston, Beeple flipped the script and began to interview Keller about the art of his craft.

BEEPLE: What were some of the inspirations behind the meal?

KELLER: Playing off this idea of ​​nostalgia and childhood. Something that was fun and whimsical. Something that I have been part of for a long time, and showing some of our compositions with classic favorites like macaroni and cheese.

I wanted to reflect on my childhood and remember what I used to eat. For me, food was simply what I could take out of a can, and whatever my older brother could make for me, which often included TV dinners.

So, the goal of this opportunity was to have fun. The same way you have fun with your art.

BEEPLE: I draw a lot of inspiration from my childhood, particularly from movies like Star Wars and the video games I grew up with. They continue to be significant influences and references for me. When was the last time you had SpaghettiOs?

KELLER: It’s been a long time — since I was a child. I want to reinterpret that and focus on what we can do today. When I would visit my father (on rare occasion), he would take me out to dinner, and his favorite thing to order was chopped steak. So, we are creating a version of the chopped steak with mushroom gravy with caramel corn for dessert.

Bringing those nostalgic memories from childhood is at the forefront of the menu — including a savory version of Rice Krispie Treats or a Poptart with truffle. We want to have fun in the way we think about food; if you can’t have fun eating, what’s the point?

Indeed, there is the aforementioned invitation that art summons.

Photo Credit: Deborah Jones and Courtesy of Michel Rolland

For more information about the event on December 5th during Art Basel Miami Beach, please reach out to contactus@hauteliving.com.