Francoise and Baptiste Gazeau
France
Francoise and Baptiste's Wines
- France
- 4Â wines
- 1Â style
This small town in the Pyrenees happens to be the birthplace of French sparkling wine
- The Gazeaus come from Limoux, a small town in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains, with Françoise following in her father's footsteps and Baptiste following in hers. Growing up with the hustle and bustle of a busy harvest comes second nature to them.
- Even though both left Limoux after finishing school - Françoise to work for L'Oréal in Paris, and Baptiste to travel the world - both were inevitably drawn back to the vineyards of their childhoods.
- Françoise is a seasoned pro who made her first vintage back in '96, and Baptiste has travelled the winemaking world over, visiting over 800 estates in 25 countries, tasting around 10,000 wines in the process. Together they make fabulous sparkling wines exclusively in Limoux - the birthplace of sparkling wine (take that Champagne).
Francoise and Baptiste Gazeau's Story
What's your background?
Francoise: I grew up in Limoux, a small town in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. Strongly encouraged by my parent who wanted me to do an more recognized job than them, I have studied business in Paris and have been hired at l'Oréal to handle sales of cosmetics in the Middle East. I have spend 10 years travelling and discovering new fascinating cultures. This amazing experience have at the same time developed my love for travelling and interest in joining my family winery and to go back to my roots.
Baptiste: I also grew up in Limoux and wine culture has always been part of my environment. At the end of high school, I wanted to travel the world (certainly influenced by Francoise's enthusiasm for new cultures) and have many professional experiences abroad.
Why did you become a winemaker?
Françoise : It was in me since the beginning. I grew up in the vineyard and have Blanquette flowing through my veins. An d since the first day I have been back to Limoux, I knew I have made the right decision. Being a winemaker offers the unique possibility to write a new story (my story) every year, from the hard work done in the vineyard to the extreme care we put in the cellar. It's fascinating and I would change this for nothing.
Baptiste: I had the chance to conclude my studies by 7 months of internship working for a wine distributor in the US, and this is where my passion for wine really started with the feeling that I wanted to be a winemaker. Thus, I have decided to take one year to travel the “wine world”, visited 800 estates in 25 countries and tasted around 10 000 wines to sharpen my palate and open my mind.After experiences in Champagne and Rhône valley to put in practice, I have been lucky to have the opportunity to join the family adventure in Limoux.
How long have you been making wine?
Françoise: My first vintage was 1996, and I honestly feel it was yesterday (but I know it's not true!)
Baptiste: As I grew up on the family estate, I have a lot of "harvest memories" but have only done 3 vintages as a real winemaker!
What is it about your job that you love?
Françoise: This one is easy - EVERYTHING!
- Diversity: there is no single day similar to another. I can be in the vineyard in the morning for pruning and at night on Zoom with my Canadian importer for a Masterclass.
- A strong link with the earth : I way born and raised here, seeing these very special hills everyday and I could not imagine making wine elsewhere.
- Human relationships : along my wine journey, I have met hundreds of people that are all in the "Wine Tarde" for one reason: passion. Colleagues, importers, distributors, suppliers, sommeliers, salespersons, cavistes... Everyone is looking for the same Emotion that can be brought by the right bottle at the right time.
Baptiste: Same as Françoise and I would add the cultural and historical link created by wines through generations of humans. Although the technical aspects have changed, I feel I am continuing my grandfather's and mother's job, this makes me very proud!
What makes your wines special?
Françoise: I have to be very humble on this as I deeply feel that 80% of what is inside my bottle is just the translation of my terroir. The altitude of the vineyard, the confluence of the Pyrenees and Mediterranean sea, the amazing Mauzac variety carefully selected by generations of winemakers, the traditional way of working learned from my father and my uncle. The rest is me trying to bring my personal "touch", my sensibility and my vision to each vintage, always by keeping in mind that we owe everything to nature!
Baptiste: terroir, terroir, terroir & terroir :)
Why did you join?
Because we love the concept: artisanal wines, crafted by winemakers with a strong personality that are, like me, proud to share their story!
What do you hope to accomplish?
To bring happiness to people, simply!
This is why I wake up every morning, and I hope Angels who will have access to my wines will feel all the love I have tried to capture in the bottles, and of course the bubbles!
I would also be happy to see people drinking wines while eating and doing innovative pairings. Sparkling wines are not only for apéritif - there's an amazing world of sparkling wine food pairings that have not yet been explored fully!
