VALORISER L’HISTOIRE, LA CULTURE ET LE PATRIMOINE VITICOLE.

Nous

SOMMES FIERS D’ÊTRE GRAND MÉCÈNE DE LA CITÉ DES CLIMATS ET VINS DE BOURGOGNE.

GRAND MÉCÈNE

04/2023 - Edité par la Caisse Régionale de Crédit Agricole Mutuel de Champagne-Bourgogne. Société coopérative à capital variable, agréée en tant qu’établissement de crédit, siège social : 269 Faubourg Croncels - 10000 TROYES – 775 718 216 RCS Troyes. Société de courtage en assurances immatriculée au Registre des Intermédiaires en Assurances sous le n° 07 019 188. Identifiant unique CITEO : FR234345_03JPGG. Et par la Caisse Régionale de Crédit Agricole Mutuel Centre-est. Société coopérative à capital variable, agréée en tant qu’établissement de crédit, siège social : de

Théo, accompanied by Oskar, his loyal Australian Shepherd, welcomes us into their Chassagne-Montrachet home. The Dancer wine estate, established by his parents Céline and Vincent in 1997, is now under Théo's capable guidance. Inheriting the estate his father constructed from the ground up, Théo shares a similar ambition to create something uniquely his own. As someone who " grew up with his roots deeply embedded in the soil " he is simultaneously cultivating a boutique wine trading venture known as Roc Breïa. Isolated island of several hectares in the heart of the Mâconnais vineyard - for which he oversees the cultivation practices and the production of the wines.

At 22 years old, Théo, an outdoors enthusiast, grew up surrounded by vineyards. When not immersed in his work, he seeks a change of pace by joining his fellow French national mountain trail running old team members. Drawing on his formidable mental strength, Théo explains : "I believe that both running and winemaking demand a level of personal dedication. My sporting experiences have instilled in me the determination to push beyond limits, a trait I incorporate into all aspects of my life".

Meet Théo: Hi, when we mentioned your interview to people you know, they told me that you were a very active and creative person. They even said you were an “idea factory”…are they right about you ?

(Chuckles) Referring to myself as an " idea factory " might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I have to admit, I've been continuously engaged lately. I can't stand boredom, so it's safe to say that, indeed, I'm fueled by my own ideas.

Your father handed you the estate, what is his legacy in that regard ?

My father recently celebrated his 50th birthday, and we have an excellent rapport. In some ways, I see myself mirroring him. From a young age, I was fortunate that my parents never imposed rigid limits on my life or aspirations. They allowed me the freedom to make my own choices, and for that, I will always be grateful to them.

What inspired you to create new structures ?

My goal was to venture beyond my comfort zone and take the risk of building something from scratch. Thus, I established a trading company for various grape varieties and a new vineyard in the Mâconnais region called Roc Breïa. This vision was clear to me, fueling my motivation. Having been fortunate enough to inherit a thriving winery, I was determined not to become complacent.

Do you ever experience moments of uncertainty or self-doubt ?

Indeed, I do. When faced with such moments, I remind myself that the tide constantly changes. In reality, establishing di erents projects has presented me with challenges similar to those my parents encountered years ago at the estate. So, I reassure myself : if they could confront and overcome those obstacles, there's no reason I can't do the same.

As an athlete, you've undoubtedly developed a strong mental fortitude. How do you apply this to your work ?

I believe we all have an ultimate objective. It's essential to keep that in mind. The goal is to improve with each passing day. My personal strategy is to remind myself on Fridays to be better than I was on Thursdays. Over time, this approach truly makes a di erence.

How do you perceive your profession and your generation ?

I believe we are fortunate to work in a region where the wine is highly esteemed, and the region's name sells itself. As a result, we should explore opportunities in other regions and work with various grape varieties. We no longer have any excuses not to be globally connected. Comparing our generation to previous ones, we can see how much easier it is to communicate with people across the world. This global access is particularly appealing to me : my job allows me to interact with a diverse array of individuals, all brought together by our shared passion for a product we enjoy and appreciate. It's crucial to learn from these varied perspectives and experiences.

What is your approach to winemaking ?

To me, the work primarily takes place " outside ". When we step into the winery, it's as if we transform into e cient, hands-on tools. Throughout the year, we tirelessly work to produce high-quality grapes. However, once they are harvested, our role is to allow the grapes to express themselves naturally, without imposing any speci c direction on their development.