At 23, Madison Parelle became one of the youngest winegrowers in a private cellar in Biterrois. She has just taken over, with the help of her parents, the estate of Grange basse in Vendres. And has the chance to work for several months alongside the former master of the place, Paul Bories Azeau who has agreed to accompany him in his learning of the trade.
Born in Béziers, the young woman followed her parents to the United States, to Plantation in South Florida, when they left France for professional reasons. So she grew up on the other side of the Atlantic and studied marketing and business. “But I missed the terroir. My parents are from here and my brother and I were born here. I was incredibly lucky because this recovery happened a bit by chance. »
Although the adventure started before the harvest, Madison Parelle knows that she still has a lot to learn to find her place in this environment. “But I'm making a dream come true, and I don't feel like I'm working because I'm having fun,” she confides while showing the estate's cellar, a tool currently dedicated to bulk sales. “This part works well. I just want to add little things. We will continue like this for two years and then I want to develop a few bottles, says Madison Parelle. And given the potential of the estate, I want to develop a gite or top-of-the-range accommodation part, bringing a little American touch that might appeal. It's a project close to my heart, that I always wanted to do but I didn't know where. My parents follow me and accompany me but I am free to do and bring a touch of modernity here. And I work hard to make them proud. »
The estate with its huge buildings of character, has 61 ha planted with Chardonnay, Cabernet, Colombard, Merlot, Alicante and Syrah. An olive grove is also planted there, which has allowed a harvest of 2.6 tons of olive oil this season.
"Between France and the United States, I have no preference," explains the apprentice winegrower. I want to take the best of both to create my own world. I try to bring the best. It has always worked well. »
Discovering entrepreneurship, the young woman however regrets the heaviness of the charges in France. She had opened up to the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, during a meeting organized by Midi Libre. "I didn't really get an answer. I would like to live from my job without being on a drip and hire more. but for the moment it is impossible. In the United States, failure is like a diploma. I don't forget it. »
CG- January 7, 2022
