Portraits of winemakers

A COUPLE IN LOVE WITH THE VINES AT THE CLOS ROMANE ESTATE

Stéphane and Nadine: A Dream Realized in Provence

Stéphane, born into a family of winemakers, was destined for a career in wine. After studying at an agricultural school, he joined his parents in the vineyards of Cairanne, a village in the heart of Provence. Nadine, on the other hand, pursued a career in commerce and worked for over a decade in the luxury fashion industry. Her career choice did not stop her from nurturing a lifelong passion for wine: “My grandmother was a winemaker, so I was exposed to wine from a very young age.”

A Dream Come True

In 2011, the couple founded Domaine Clos Romane, named in honor of their daughter. For Stéphane, it was a dream come true. “For years, my husband had seriously considered starting his own winery, something his parents had always refused to do. I think this only strengthened his desire,” says Nadine, who decided to trade high couture for the world of wine and join her husband. “I embarked on this adventure without knowing exactly where it would lead,” she confesses. “But I was confident. I thought, if I could sell clothes, I could do the same with wine!”

Expressive and Fruity Wines

Located in the Provençal village of Cairanne, the Domaine Clos Romane vineyard spans 30 hectares. The couple works as a team: Stéphane produces the wine, while Nadine handles sales. To avoid “leaving the land neglected,” Stéphane practices sustainable agriculture and conducts manual harvests. “We taste the grapes every day. When we judge that they have reached an excellent level of maturity, we harvest them,” says Nadine, who prefers to focus on crafting expressive and fruity wines rather than chasing medals and awards. The wines from Domaine Clos Romane, marketed under the Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation, are made from typical regional grape varieties: Viognier, Roussette, Grenache, Syrah…

50,000 Bottles per Year

Four years after opening,Domaine Clos Romane’s performance has been quite positive, producing 1200 hectoliters annually, which equates to about 50,000 bottles. While Nadine and Stéphane feel their winery is still a bit young for large-scale projects, they are not ruling out the possibility of their two children taking over one day: “Of course, we allow our children to choose their own studies. We will always be there to give them the opportunity to learn our trades and take over the domain, but it’s important that they come with their own background,” says Nadine.

In the meantime, the couple stays busy. When he’s not working in the vineyard, Stéphane serves as a municipal councilor for Cairanne. Nadine dedicates herself wholeheartedly to the association she joined last January: Femmes Vignes Rhône, a group of women winemakers committed to promoting the work of women in the wine industry. “We exchange a lot and support each other, which is very enriching. It’s comforting and rewarding to feel that we’re adding a touch of femininity to a profession predominantly composed of men,” Nadine reflects with pleasure.