By any measure, the Perrins are an unusual family, making an unusual wine in an unusual region of France. They've been at the forefront of protecting the quality of French wine, yet they maintain a maverick touch. And after five generations, the owners of Château Beaucastel in the Rhône Valley are still thriving.

Francois and Jean-Pierre — the fourth generation of the Perrin family — are beginning to contemplate retirement, but their children are already deeply involved in the family business.

Jean-Pierre's son Marc was recently in Tokyo for a food and wine pairing event at the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo in Marunouchi. Perrin's visit should come as no surprise — his family's main market in Asia is Japan, where Château Beaucastel, among their other Southern Rhô ne wines, is widely available.