Where he organized student study groups and social events. Following a period at the Institute Technique du Vin and then at different wine producing enterprises.
In 2001 he joined the family enterprise and took over the technical direction of the group which covers nearly 750 acres spread over 20 different appellations in the Rhone Valley and Provence. Today he uses his expertise across all the family vineyards from the plantation of new vines to bottling.
Under his direction the estates search out the character of each individual parcel and seek to maximize the expression of each grape variety and terroir.
He has a passion for Mourvedre, Counoise and the sandy soils in Chateauneuf du Pape. He loves the role of Cinsault and the blends in Provence. The purchase of Chateau de Trignon has brought the desire to accentuate the differences of these terroir which are amongst the most complex in the world.
It is not easy to produce this family of wines ranging from the roses of Domaine Houchart in Cotes de Provence and St. Victoire to the approachable reds of Domaine du Vieux Lazaret in Ventoux and the great age worthy reds such as the Cuvee Exceptionelle of Domaine du Vieux Lazaret and Domaine Duclaux in Chateauneuf du Pape as well as the Gigondas and Vacqueyras of Chateau de Trignon.
His latest challenge comes with the purchase of a few acres of Muscat de Beaumes de Venise, where he produces a delicate sweet wine, delicious as an aperitif or with dessert.
The next challenge will be the reorganization of a vineyard in the great appellation of Palette near Aix en Provence with its hillside and terraced vineyards.
The number of medals awarded in the most important world wide competitions and the world wide distribution of the family’s domains show the results of Jean-Baptiste’s passion for his work.
“The size of our range necessitates great adaptability” declares Jean-Baptiste. “The methods and the ways of applying them differ between each Domaine and even in different parcels to obtain the desired result. This requires great technical skill, detailed knowledge of the properties and a reasonable approach, avoiding excess. Wine remains an agricultural product where the weather conditions each year remain very important. The continued search for quality requires constant adaptation of the work cycle. The vines are capable of a long life. The preserving the age of the vines with respect to the environment as the soil is one of our most important tools has always been fundamental to the philosophy of our family. Our wines should always be harmonious, well balanced and show finesse. Not to forget the fundamental to be clean, forward fruit, avoiding defects and above all to give pleasure to the consumer. The different aromas, the nuances of color, the taste sensations are only words which each can appreciate differently.”