A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
When our alarm rang at 5:45 this morning I mumbled “Good night!“ in French.
“Bonjour,”Jean-Marc replied. The creaking of our armoire, a wedding gift from 20-years ago, was a splash of cold water to my face and now my mind was percolating away as my husband pulled on his threadbare jeans and searched for a warm enough shirt. Early mornings in the vineyard are cold, even if the nearby beaches are already hot with Bardot lookalikes.
Thankfully my husband has eyes only for vines. That is why we call him Chief Grape. I waited until Chief left the room to stretch out over his side of the bed. It’s not fair to rub it in, when you get to sleep in.
Next I heard our coffee-maker, which sounds just like Jean-Marc’s prehistoric tractor. Both machines hum like dinosaurs! Come to think of it, this all must be music to my husband’s boyish ears–a thundering overture for his daily grape adventure.
Just like a kid Jean-Marc ran back into the room this morning, to share an exciting discovery: an article about his labors in the Wine Spectator!
“I can’t wait to read it!” I cheered.
Returning to bed now, with a cup of Tyrannosauras Joe, I clicked open my email to search for the link Jean-Marc had promised to send me.
I found it, and a whole lot more. My husband’s note read:
Thank you for making my dreams come true
I Love youJean-Marc
* * *
Here is the link to that wonderful article on Jean-Marc and I leave you with a few photos taken over the years, just after today’s sponsors.
Jean-Marc’s first harvest (at his own vineyard). He was stick thin, having put all his weight into his first cuvée.
He gained back those kilos, along with experience as he continued to make his prize-winning wine
That serious look! His mind is so often on his grapes.
Serious look and seriously cramped working spaces — all in the name of wine!
2007, in a cramped kitchen full of harvesters. That first year was the most trying, as evidenced by the scarecrow figures smiling back at you. Jean-Marc was NOT blessed with a vineyard wife, a tough broad who works beside him in the vineyard, then hurries back to the kitchen to make lunch for the entire crew. But that didn’t stop Jean-Marc from making the leafy crown you see above, and naming me Queen of Harvest–La Reine de la Vendange–an award given to the one who tries, all the same. It was generous and thoughtful of Jean-Marc to write me that note this morning. But it is he who made his own dreams come true, with all that hard work and determination. So proud of you, Chief Grape!
2007. Harvesting in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
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La patience est un vertu, surtout pour un vigneron !
I figured producing wine had to be a tough business, but had no idea the French appellation rules mean Marc can’t harvest until 2017 and 2021.
La patience est un vertu, surtout pour un vigneron !
I figured producing wine had to be a tough business, but had no idea the French appellation rules mean Marc can’t harvest until 2017 and 2021.
I am happy to say I finally had the Domaine Rouge-Bleu. I bought a bottle while in Paris recently and got to enjoy it with a little cheese of course. It was good. Thanks.
I am happy to say I finally had the Domaine Rouge-Bleu. I bought a bottle while in Paris recently and got to enjoy it with a little cheese of course. It was good. Thanks.
I love your blog…thank you so much for sharing your life with your readers. As an American visitor who also loves writing, wine, and France in general, I really look forward to your posts. Merci beaucoup!
I love your blog…thank you so much for sharing your life with your readers. As an American visitor who also loves writing, wine, and France in general, I really look forward to your posts. Merci beaucoup!
The article was fascinating! We all feel as if we know you and your family personally, and so it is with a sense of joy that we get to read about Jean Marc’s dream finally coming true– with his loyal La Reine de la Vendange beside him. It has always been a dream of mine, too, to have have vines and live under fig, as well as olive, trees, so part of what draws me here is the vicarious “living” I get to do when reading your well-written words. Thanks for sharing, and I wish you both beaucoup succès!
The article was fascinating! We all feel as if we know you and your family personally, and so it is with a sense of joy that we get to read about Jean Marc’s dream finally coming true– with his loyal La Reine de la Vendange beside him. It has always been a dream of mine, too, to have have vines and live under fig, as well as olive, trees, so part of what draws me here is the vicarious “living” I get to do when reading your well-written words. Thanks for sharing, and I wish you both beaucoup succès!
Hurrah! Hooray! We can’t wait for those first vintages. The article describes J-M and his love of life so very well. And the two of you are an amazing team, each enhancing the other’s strengths. Love you! (P.S. Also tremendously enjoying Charles and Martha’s too brief sojurn back in hot, hot Florida.)
Hurrah! Hooray! We can’t wait for those first vintages. The article describes J-M and his love of life so very well. And the two of you are an amazing team, each enhancing the other’s strengths. Love you! (P.S. Also tremendously enjoying Charles and Martha’s too brief sojurn back in hot, hot Florida.)
So glad I read your post first thing this morning. It put a smile on my face. What a fantastic article about Chief Grape. It is so heartening to hear a story about dreams being realized and hard work being rewarding. Congratulations to all.
So glad I read your post first thing this morning. It put a smile on my face. What a fantastic article about Chief Grape. It is so heartening to hear a story about dreams being realized and hard work being rewarding. Congratulations to all.
Dear Kristin,
Congratulations to Jean-Marc and to you as well. You both are a model couple (physically as well as spiritually)! Wishing you life’s best!
Dear Kristin,
Congratulations to Jean-Marc and to you as well. You both are a model couple (physically as well as spiritually)! Wishing you life’s best!
Mes pensées pour lundi passée:
Chère Kristin, Tu es une très belle dame, au corps, au coeur, et en esprit. Merci, toi, et merci, la France, pour faire chaque année l’honneur aux américains morts dans la guerre et ceux vifs dans notre pays du jour. L’amour d’un peuple pour un autre peuple est exactement la paix du monde. Que les autres pays du monde en reconnaissent. Avec admiration, Joanne NJ
Mes pensées pour lundi passée:
Chère Kristin, Tu es une très belle dame, au corps, au coeur, et en esprit. Merci, toi, et merci, la France, pour faire chaque année l’honneur aux américains morts dans la guerre et ceux vifs dans notre pays du jour. L’amour d’un peuple pour un autre peuple est exactement la paix du monde. Que les autres pays du monde en reconnaissent. Avec admiration, Joanne NJ
I had no idea that he was taking on something that hadn’t been done in a long time and also something that saw no end results for a long time. It’s a good thing you guys are young! But, in the meantime he is satiated by his water, his family and his beautiful partner in it all.
Congratulations to JM on the article. It’s about time!
I had no idea that he was taking on something that hadn’t been done in a long time and also something that saw no end results for a long time. It’s a good thing you guys are young! But, in the meantime he is satiated by his water, his family and his beautiful partner in it all.
Congratulations to JM on the article. It’s about time!
Wow, great post, great article! Congratulations to Chief Grape on making this dream happen — and to all of you. Love seeing the series of photos taken over the years. Sending love and good wishes as your bit of heaven on earth continues to grow and flourish. <3
Wow, great post, great article! Congratulations to Chief Grape on making this dream happen — and to all of you. Love seeing the series of photos taken over the years. Sending love and good wishes as your bit of heaven on earth continues to grow and flourish. <3
Dear Kristin,
What an exciting article! The author seems to have captured Jean-Marc’s
passion for and commitment to his dream. This effort, from clearing the land to first bottle of wine, might just be worth a book on its own. (One of many I hope you have spinning around in your mind.). Support for a soulmate comes in many different ways and you and Jean-Marc have well blended your passions and support for each other. What could be more perfect for your readers than sipping Rouge-Bleu while enjoying one of your books! Cheers to you both!
Dear Kristin,
What an exciting article! The author seems to have captured Jean-Marc’s
passion for and commitment to his dream. This effort, from clearing the land to first bottle of wine, might just be worth a book on its own. (One of many I hope you have spinning around in your mind.). Support for a soulmate comes in many different ways and you and Jean-Marc have well blended your passions and support for each other. What could be more perfect for your readers than sipping Rouge-Bleu while enjoying one of your books! Cheers to you both!
Very nice article in the Wine Spectator about Jean-Marc. Thank you for posting it!
Very nice article in the Wine Spectator about Jean-Marc. Thank you for posting it!
Congratulations! As Samuel Goldwyn said, “The harder I work, the luckier I get” and Chief Grape is most certainly a very hard worker. So here’s to many more wonderful things to come and dreams coming true.
Congratulations! As Samuel Goldwyn said, “The harder I work, the luckier I get” and Chief Grape is most certainly a very hard worker. So here’s to many more wonderful things to come and dreams coming true.
Cher Jean-Marc:
Felicitations! L’amour pour votre femme et l’amour pour la vigne…On ne peut que reussir.
Je vous souhaite bonne chance dans les deux domaines. Janine
Cher Jean-Marc:
Felicitations! L’amour pour votre femme et l’amour pour la vigne…On ne peut que reussir.
Je vous souhaite bonne chance dans les deux domaines. Janine
What exciting news! Thanks for posting the article, too. What a task JM has taken on, but what a dream and accomplishment! Yes, another book!
What exciting news! Thanks for posting the article, too. What a task JM has taken on, but what a dream and accomplishment! Yes, another book!
CONGRATULATIONS!! You both deserve it. Kudos and praise for your hard work. So thrilled for you both!
CONGRATULATIONS!! You both deserve it. Kudos and praise for your hard work. So thrilled for you both!
Congratulations!!! Wonderful article. So happy for you all!
xoxo
Congratulations!!! Wonderful article. So happy for you all!
xoxo
What an interesting article — thanks for posting it. I love JM’s work ethic and positive attitude. Congrats! You both are hard workers, creative, and too cute!
Be well.
What an interesting article — thanks for posting it. I love JM’s work ethic and positive attitude. Congrats! You both are hard workers, creative, and too cute!
Be well.
Great article supporting Jean Marc as you support him too.
You both deserve to do well out of your joint hard work.
Please can you explain “a cup of Tyrannosaurus Joe”?
Great article supporting Jean Marc as you support him too.
You both deserve to do well out of your joint hard work.
Please can you explain “a cup of Tyrannosaurus Joe”?
Thanks you all for your support. I was all day in the baby vines, planting pols, and spreading out all my Love to these babies…
What a great day.
Cheers,
Thanks you all for your support. I was all day in the baby vines, planting pols, and spreading out all my Love to these babies…
What a great day.
Cheers,
Our dear Kristi,
The article was wonderful(!)
Even more wonderful,though,is JM’s note to you.
God brought you together and has blessed your love and your lives.
What joy to see this day by day and what privilege to share in it.
Thank you!
Love
Natalia xo
Our dear Kristi,
The article was wonderful(!)
Even more wonderful,though,is JM’s note to you.
God brought you together and has blessed your love and your lives.
What joy to see this day by day and what privilege to share in it.
Thank you!
Love
Natalia xo
I have to agree with Natalia..his note to you said worlds..I read both with admiration for the two of you..Could he have done it “alone” maybe..to be in a position where we can encourage another to fulfill their dreams is the best place in the world to be! Through your blog I think you have encouraged others to do the same Bravo! (posted both to FB hoping your lifestyle will be followed by many)
I have to agree with Natalia..his note to you said worlds..I read both with admiration for the two of you..Could he have done it “alone” maybe..to be in a position where we can encourage another to fulfill their dreams is the best place in the world to be! Through your blog I think you have encouraged others to do the same Bravo! (posted both to FB hoping your lifestyle will be followed by many)
… Kristin, you and Jean-Marc were definitely star -crossed lovers and now mates! You compliment each other in the most wonderful and natural ways. I strongly believe in love and it is clear that you both have that and great respect and mutual admiraton for each other as well. Your beautiful children, you new home and his dedication to his ‘vines’ all show how you were fated to journey through life together. We are just grateful that you share your many highs and lows with us, as it makes us love you all the more! Your writing inspires us to be better than we are! Judi Dunn, Tallahassee
… Kristin, you and Jean-Marc were definitely star -crossed lovers and now mates! You compliment each other in the most wonderful and natural ways. I strongly believe in love and it is clear that you both have that and great respect and mutual admiraton for each other as well. Your beautiful children, you new home and his dedication to his ‘vines’ all show how you were fated to journey through life together. We are just grateful that you share your many highs and lows with us, as it makes us love you all the more! Your writing inspires us to be better than we are! Judi Dunn, Tallahassee
Kristin:
Tres bien for your hubby!
An interesting article and I sure great wines will follow.
Edie from Savannah
Kristin:
Tres bien for your hubby!
An interesting article and I sure great wines will follow.
Edie from Savannah
Congratulations JM!!! On both the article and the planted vines! That is a whole bunch of very hard work – hats off to JM. He could not do it without his support team. You are all high achievers and hard workers. Thanks for sharing your teamwork with all of us. Inspiring. Can hardly wait to drink some of the wine.
Congratulations JM!!! On both the article and the planted vines! That is a whole bunch of very hard work – hats off to JM. He could not do it without his support team. You are all high achievers and hard workers. Thanks for sharing your teamwork with all of us. Inspiring. Can hardly wait to drink some of the wine.