New kids on the block
PARIS
It all began with an unexpected phone call that would alter their lives forever. Jacob was enjoying a leisurely evening at a Parisian wine bar when he overheard two young men ordering his favorite wine from Vignoble de l'Arbre Blanc, a renowned vineyard celebrated for its unique white tree, symbolizing purity and resilience in winemaking. This chance encounter sparked a conversation about Fred and Caroline, who revealed that their vineyard was up for sale.
TIP
Without hesitation, Jacob reached out to Caroline, but there was no response—neither by phone nor by email. Luckily, a Canadian wine importer informed Jacob that Caroline was active on Instagram. Julie and Jacob were subsequently invited to meet Fred and Caroline in Saint-Sandoux in December 2022.
WARM BOND
Discovering a vineyard in Auvergne is a rare gem, and the prospect of acquiring an existing vineyard felt like an extraordinary stroke of luck. Julie and Jacob had long nurtured the dream of crafting wine together in this unique region of Auvergne.
LEARNING FRENCH
As the transfer is set to be signed in July 2023, Julie and Jacob will have already relocated to Saint-Sandoux. Immersed in the local culture, they eagerly learn French. With Fred and Caroline preparing to embark on a new adventure and bottle their wines in 2023, Julie and Jacob are keenly anticipating their first harvest in 2024. We had the pleasure of tasting the wines from this upcoming harvest in November, leaving us in awe of its distinctive quality and typicity.
FROM ANDERS TO BRUNO TO YANNICK
Julie, who grew up in the Danish countryside with her father's agricultural business, contrasts with Jacob, who hails from the capital, Copenhagen. Trained as a Maître-Sommelier and wine importer, Jacob follows his passion for wine while Julie, armed with a master's in political science focusing on the environment, has worked in a gastronomic restaurant where she met Jacob. Her career has involved roles in European think tanks and the Ministry of the Environment. She studied in Lyon while Jacob pursued his wine interests. When the university closed due to COVID, Julie joined Jacob at Steen, Schueller, Meckert, Balagny, and Duchène, leading to a harmonized involvement in winemaking.
LES GRAND ORGUES
Julie staunchly believes in the unparalleled Pinot Noir of Saint-Sandoux. The wines—Les Petites Orgues, Les Orgues, and Les Grandes Orgues—crafted by Fred and Caroline are masterpieces that Julie and Jacob aspire to honor through meticulous attention. The 2022 Les Grandes Orgues stands out as exceptionally pure and elegant, offering a fresh, salty, and balanced sensation. Tasting it was a sensory journey, filled with anticipation and joy.
MOTHER NATURE
For their new Sauvignon Blanc, Anthèse, from the anticipated 2024 harvest, Julie and Jacob aim to mature it longer, celebrating Mother Nature's generosity, with high hopes for a beautiful vintage.
LES FESSES
The unique 2023 wine blend, Les Fesses, combines Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris as an Orange wine, showcasing remarkable properties through direct pressing of jus de goutte and jus de presse in amphorae.
PINOT GRIS
The single Pinot Gris involves extensive maceration and maturation. The 2024 harvest is recognized for its balanced alcohol content, low volatility, high acidity, and low pH—ideal for extended barrel aging.
IN HAPPY EXPECTATION
Julie and Jacob are filled with gratitude for the warm environment created by Fred and Caroline, where open communication and individual differences are cherished. Each year, we eagerly await our limited allocation from Fred and Caroline, but this time it comes from Julie and Jacob alongside personal news: they are happily expecting a baby in the summer of 2025. We look forward to what the future holds.
While we already miss Fred and Caroline, we are filled with joy seeing our friends embark on beautiful, unexpected journeys.
