The Unique Character Behind the Wine
We often publicise the medals our wines are awarded but we don’t often enough expose the unique characters behind the wines – our winemakers themselves.
We may talk endlessly about terroir, winemaking skills, the purity that ecological vineyard management and biodynamic methods add to the flavour of our wines but, it is our vignerons who put all that inside the bottle.
- They’re not all extroverts like Pierre Caslot at Domaine de la Chevalerie, who was more than a match for Oz Clarke when he joined us on our annual grape-picking weekend several years ago.
- And who, having met them, can fail to see in their mind’s eye, when opening a bottle of Domaine Jacob, the ever-welcoming Christine or the smiling, bear-like Jean-Michel?
- Or the dapper Paul-Henri from Domaine des Grands Devers, seldom seen without a cravat and so passionate about canopy management in his heavenly Syrah vineyard high in the rosemary-scented garrigue above his house.
- And if helping others is part of the recipe, step forward Fernand Chevrot who, when President of the Burgundy Saint Vincent Tournante celebrations, still found time on his big day to rescue a group of 3D Partners who were stuck in a muddy field … it’s a long story!
- Then of course there is Jean-Luc Mary from Domaine de la Cune, so proud to be recognised by our entire family of winemakers as their grand-père – not because he’s old, but because he was our first, the pioneer of the 3D Wines adventure.
- Or Jean-Michel Baudet at Château Monconseil-Gazin in Bordeaux, newly elected as President of the Côtes de Bordeaux and a new-wine pioneer, having played a major role in establishing the new appellation of Blaye, now considered the ‘Grand Cru’ of the region.
- Another pioneer, Pierre Baur in Alsace, was the first of our winemakers to fully embrace biodynamic techniques a decade ago.
A letter from a Partner in Domaine Pillot perhaps sums it up; “Over 2 hours of tasting one on one with someone who was prepared to pass the time of day, to describe the subtleties of the seasons and the harvest. It was one of the happiest afternoons I have ever spent in France.”
Wherever you have your vines you can be assured that there will be a special personality with a story to tell and a glassful of characterful wine, awaiting your visit.
