Jancis Robinson in the Financial Times (12 May 08) talks about the growing number of Brits who have followed their dream and bought a vineyard in France.
It is hardly surprising then that a substantial proportion of the hundreds of thousands of Brits who own French property have been tempted by the apparently bucolic life of a vigneron……
Are there any French winemakers left down there?
I asked Walter McKinlay, whose Domaine de Mourchon southern Rhône wines are some of the most successful from a British domaine, whether his Domaine de Mourchon wines were financially viable. He frowned. “Just about,” he said cautiously, then smiled. “But it’s a lovely lifestyle though.”
My own observation would be that it can be incredibly hard work and despite the attractions of the climate, landscape and the French way of life, it can also be very stressful. And as with all winemakers, a bad harvest, particularly in the early years can be devastating.
So, here’s our list of British winemakers / vineyard owners (or at least winemakers whose first language is English, as the list also includes those who are South African, Irish and New Zealand) – that we are aware of (not an exhaustive list I am sure). Visits can be much more informative if the language is no barrier:-
with holiday accommodation:-
- Chateau Bauduc – Bordeaux AC (33 Gironde, Aquitaine) – Gavin and Angela Quinney (+ Holiday accommodation)Chateau de Claribes Bordeaux AC (33 Gironde, Aquitaine) – Nick Kinder and partner Helen (+ Holiday accommodation)
- Chateau Feely(Haut Garrigue) – Bergerac AC (24 Dordogne, Aquitaine) – Sean and Caroline Feely (the Irish/South African couple running an organic vineyard also known as Wild Earth Vineyards) (+ Holiday accommodation)
- Domaine de Fontenay – Cote Roannaise AC (42 Loire, Rhone-Alpes) – Simon and Isabelle Hawkins (+ Holiday accommodation)
- Domaine Gourdon – Cotes de Duras AC (47 Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine) – John Coulthard (+ Holiday accommodation)
- Chateau Haute-Fontaine – Corbières AC (11 Aude, Languedoc) – Paul and Penny Dudson (+ Holiday accommodation)
- Château St Jacques d’Albas – Minervois AC – Beatrice and Graham Nutter (+ Holiday accommodation)
- Chateau la Tour de Chollet – Bordeaux AC (33 Gironde, Aquitaine) Paul and Kirstie Rowbotham (+ Holiday accommodation)
- Domaine Treloar Cotes du Roussillon(66 Pyrenees-Orientales, Roussillon) – Jonathan and Rachel Treloar (+ Holiday accommodation)
no accommodation, but visitors may be welcome (phone/email first):
- Clos Cantenac – St Emilion Grand Cru AC (33 Gironde, Aquitaine) – Martin Krajewski
- Chateau Civrac– Bordeaux (33 Gironde, Aquitaine) – Mark Hellyar
- Chateau Richard – Bergerac AC (24 Dordogne, Aquitaine) – Richard Doughty
- Chateau Méaume – Bordeaux Superieur AC (33 Gironde, Aquitaine) – Alan and Sue Johnson-Hill
- Chateau du Seuil –Bordeaux AC (33 Gironde, Aquitaine) – Sean and Nicola Allison
- Chateau Maris, Minervois (11 Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon) – Robert Eden
- Chateau Teysssier – St Emilion Grand Cru AC (33 Gironde, Aquitaine) – Jonathan & Lyn Maltus
- Chateau Unang – Cotes du Ventoux AC (84 Vaucluse, Provence) – James and Joanna King
- Domaine du Grand Mayne – Cotes de Duras AC (47 Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine) – Andrew Gordon
- Domaine de Begude – Limoux AC (11 Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon) – Catherine and James Kinglake
- Domaine de Merchien – Coteaux du Quercy and beer! (46 Lot, Midi-Pyrenees – David & Sarah Meakin
- Domaine de Mourchon – Cotes du Rhone Seguret AC (84 Vaucluse, Provence) – Walter McKinley
- Domaine de la Rencontre AOC Muscat (34 Hérault) – Pierre and Julie Viudes
- Domaine du Garinet – Cahors AC (46 Lot,Midi-Pyrenees) – Mike & Sue Spring
- Domaine Jones, Fitou AC (11 Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon) – Katie Jones
- Domaine Sainte Rose – Vin de Pays d’Oc (34 Herault, Languedoc-Roussillon) – Charles and Ruth Simpson
- Domaine Sainte Croix – Corbieres AC (11 Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon) – Jon & Elizabeth Bowen
- Maison des Bulliats – Regnie AC Beaujolais (69 Rhone, Rhone-Alpes) – Fred and Helen Lockwood
- Mirabeau – Cotes de Provence AC (83 Var, Provence) – Stephen and Jeany Cronk
- Paradise Rescued – Bordeaux AC (33 Gironde, Nouvelle Aquitaine) David Stannard (with Australian connections!0
know of any others – then let us know!