MY WORDS

FORTITUDE

My father left Algeria in 1963 leaving behind him his home, his work and his roots. At the age of 48, he started everything from scratch. It was in the Drôme region that he decided to settle. The domain he took over was bankrupt and of interest to nobody. He undertook colossal work, planting in just two years 30 hectares of vines and 60 hectares of orchards. He was fired up with enthusiasm about this new profession and was brave enough to take some enormous risks.

CULTURE

It has always held an important place in our family. My father was passionate about opera. He enrolled me at the Music Academy of Romans where I studied classical guitar. Music and reading were sanctuaries for me. They helped me overcome our adversities of having been uprooted.

BURGUNDY

I did my oenology studies in Beaune and then in Dijon. I was immediately delighted to discover such pres-tigious wines, the beauty of the winegrowing area and the conviviality of winegrowers who have such esteem for their traditions. And icing on the cake for me, I fell for the charms of a Burgundian girl, so my passion for viticulture and oenology really was born.

UNIQUE

At Clairmont, we have strived so that each person is aware of his own uniqueness and of what he can draw from this. We have constantly got things moving, for example making “micro-cuvées”, wine in very small quantities, so that each person has been able to taste and understand what he is capable of making. A group does not imply levelling out or standardising. Not at Clairmont in any case.

FAMILY

Clairmont came into existence with united families. The elders showed the example, the young generation stuck together and they all understood the advantage of making a team effort to ensure progress. Nobody stays behind the times. This family loyalty still prevails, but evolves with its era.