French Winemaker Caroline Frey Steps Away From Directing Estates
Earlier this week French winemaker Caroline Frey announced that she is stepping away from her role of directing internationally renowned iconic estates that she is also proprietor of—Château La Lagune of Bordeaux, Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné of the Rhone Valley and Château Corton C. of Burgundy.
Recent illness incited her to 'reexamine my choices, my balance and my priorities.'
For decades Frey has successfully managed these estates belonging to a family group founded by her father Jean-Jacques Frey. The wines, produced using biodynamic practices, are renowned throughout the world and have maintained levels of consistent quality under her guidance.
Caroline's sister Delphine Frey Prost will continue working in a key role for financial management and administration of these châteaux, while Caroline will focus her efforts on a small set of vineyards in the Valais of Switzerland. These primarily produce Petite Arvine grapes and the work provides her with joy and a sense of detachment from the intricate and often onerous responsibilities associated with managing multiple vineyards throughout France.
A new technical director for the family estates will soon be announced.
Caroline Frey (left) and sister Delphine Frey Prost Tom Mullen
Last year I scored her 2023 Château La Lagune Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend at 96 points for its purity and concentration—qualities Caroline had focused her efforts on. During a vacation last December I stopped in at the Vineum Restaurant in Tain-Hermitage in the Rhone Valley, belonging to Paul Jaboulet Aîné winery—and found the quality of the food served to be commensurate with the quality of wines.
Caroline graduated at the top of her class at the University of Oenology in Bordeaux and learned much from renowned winemaker Denis Dubourdieu.
After hearing this news I contacted Caroline, who responded in a message that 'I have loved the last 20 years at La Lagune, Jaboulet and Corton. A page is turning now, the continuation will be different and just as exciting.'
Her legacy will endure.
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