The team
"An exceptional terroir and an exceptional team..."
Henri Bungener
Winegrower
Henri let go of the life of a psychologist in London, and took on the role of winemaker, many years ago now.
Why this job: "I find it astonishing to think that wine originates from the ground."
Favourite varietal: "I like grenache as it expresses the terroir better than other varietal."
His Sunday: "Walking in the Dentelles de Montmirail with a rising or settting sun."
Impossible to live without: "We can't live without love."
Favourite dish: "My grandmother was from the Drôme and from Nice, she would always say that she could eat it every day, whilst speaking about Bouillabaisse soup... well I couldn't agree more!"
An unforgettable tasting experience: "When my three Vacqueyras wines were born: Fruit Sauvage, Carmin Brillant, and Lao Muse. It was like the end of a long journey, or a puzzle solved: For years I had not been able to understand why my tanks were so different one from the other: terroir, terroir, terroir!"
Email Henri, Tel: +33 (0) 618 15 48 19
Damien Rigaud
Cellar Master
Damien R. is the Clos de Caveau winemaker; he loves the setting and the Clos' attention to the details of the terroirs.
Favourite varietal: "Syrah, it is emblematic of the northern Côtes-du-Rhône, and I love Côte-Rôtie."
Couldn't live without: "Foraging for morel mushrooms and wild asparagus at the foot of Mont Ventoux, during the week when it’s quiet."
Unforgettable tasting experience: "Côte-Rôties in the cellar of Château Guigal. La Mouline, la Turque, la Landonne… wines to take one’s breath away."
Favourite dish: "Veal chops with morels in cream."
Treasured moment of the weekend: "A barbecue with friends and family, and a game pétanque in the sun. "
If you could go anywhere in the world: "I would love to go back to Argentina to the Lujan de Cuyo region where the vines grow at the foot of the snow-capped Andes mountain range".
Julien Verquin
Sales manager , administration and wine tourism
Impossible to live without: My family: my partner and my two little boys!
Favorite grape varieties: I really like Syrah for the silky texture it can give and its aromas of red and black fruits and its spicy notes.
An unforgettable tasting experience: In Ireland at a friend's place where we did a vertical of Rayas. An experience that remains in my memory.
Favorite food: A prime rib to share in good company or a pistou soup when summer is here.
Her special moment of the weekend: Spend good time with my family and friends.
My favorite trip: Spain, a warm and welcoming country where it is
fun to stay there.
Email Julien
Hélène Roux
Accountant
Hélène is the accountant of Clos de Caveau. She takes pleasure in working in an environement where the respect for people matches that for nature.
Impossible to live without: "Invigorating moments surrounded by nature."
Unforgettable tasting experience: "A Croze Hermitage, tasted with friends."
Favourite dish: "Lamb slow cooked for 7 hours… with spelt and served with a red Ventoux."
Treasured moment of the weekend: "When one is able to turn a daily activity into a pleasurable and relaxing moment; breakfast on the terrace, shopping at local markets…"
If you could go anywhere in the world: "I would take my bike and go on a tour of the villages of the provençale Drôme, where the countryside is shared between farming and meadows, and where medieval history is engraved in the villages and hamlets."
Hélène's email, Tel: +33490658533 (Wednesday)