In this week's Wine Spectator Magazine, Robert Camuto has written a cohesive account of how things fell apart at our vineyard near Bandol. Find a link to the article in the following column.
BASCULER
: to topple over, to change dramatically
Il y a 15 mois, alors que tout "roulait" pour moi, ma vie et celle de ma famille a peu à peu basculé vers le doute et l'incertitude.
Fifteen months ago, while everything was going so well for me, my life and that of my family's took a turn, little by little, toward doubt and uncertainty.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE
by Kristi Espinasse
Before things speed up and this year comes to an end, I would like to thank you, Dear Reader, for the encouragement and support you have given me in the past year of transition. Whether you read some or many of these posts, whether you took a moment to comment on them, or whether you sent in a donation to keep this effort going, your interest in this journal continues to give meaning and purpose to my life.
Donc, je tiens à vous remercier du fond du coeur!
So I don't want to miss this chance to thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Just this morning while scrolling through my Google News feed, I was amazed to see a story about my husband! The piece, in Wine Spectator, comes at a serendipitous time: the closing of the year and the end of our 10-year vineyard story. I hope you will take a moment to read Robert Camuto's latest article and share it with anyone who has ever chased a dream and lost themselves in the pursuit.
Jean-Marc Espinasse sat on the terrace of his new home in the French Provençal coastal town of La Ciotat and contemplated what went wrong. Three years earlier, Espinasse had launched a daring boutique winery less than five miles to the east, in the heart of Bandol…. continue reading this story at WineSpectator.com
Meet Jean-Marc and our son Max in Texas and in Portland!
Houston, TX : December 13th at 7 PM
– Winemaker Dinner at Bistro Provence, 13616 Memorial Drive. Tel : 713-827-8008. Reservation needed.
For any questions, please call or email Jean-Marc at jm.espinasse@gmail.com
Robert Camuto's book makes a great gift for a wine enthusiast! Order here . You can use the previous link to order any item on Amazon, and so help this free word journal. Merci beaucoup!
Finally, don't miss Robert Camuto's article on Jean-Marc and thanks for sharing it!
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It was such a beautiful site, but an incrediblely difficult undertaking. I hope you are enjoying your new adventure, sans a lot of stress. Safe travels to Jean-Marc and Max.
Enjoyed the tastings that we attended at Rouge Bleu and Mas de Brun. You did the difficult thing. Courage for the Journey!
PS – It rains a lot in Oregon!
A wonderful and honest account of a very brave life, Kristi. Bravo for Jean-Marc and for you, too. Enjoy your present place-it, too, is beautiful!
We would be so fortunate to have you all come to Oregon! I know you will keep us posted. Bon courage!
Kristin, it’s funny how people wiggle their way into the hearts of others. But you have done just that. I’ve come to think of you (and Jean-Marc and your children, and dear Jules!) as a friend. Your readers are so very interested in your lives. It’s one of the blessings of the internet. My love of France, and many things French, is reconfirmed with each of your posts. But more than that, the close connection with your family which you have allowed us, your readers, is a matter of the heart. We live through your trials and joys right along with you. And without a doubt, that includes Jean-Marc. I wish you a Christmas filled with the joy of His coming to earth, and a New Year filled with His blessings from Heaven.
As I think I have said before, your honesty is inspiring. It is brave of both of you to be so open about your successes and your failures. Wishing you and yours a peaceful and happy end of year.
Tennyson said: ‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. I think that applies to wine making as well. You gave it your best shot, and still have much to be proud of. Bon courage, mes amis!
What a story! Wish you would be pouring some wine on the East Coast. Could he save a few bottles?
The obstacles are the path. Getting out of a tricky situation quickly is a big win even if it doesn’t feel like it. Onward and Upward.
…ah, but then, if you’d never chased this dream would you have always wondered, “What if…?” Would you have regretted more NOT taking the risk or taking the risk and gaining a different perspective? It’s nice to hear of ‘failures’ that can be turned around to inspire others, and show how one can survive and bounce back. Enjoy greatly hearing of the dailyness of your French life.
Hi Kristi and Jean Marc,
I felt a little sad reading the article. I know it’s hard to work so hard on a dream and have it not realized. Be proud of yourselves and what you did accomplish while you were at Mas de Brun. I have two bottles of your Rosé waiting for me to pick up in DC this weekend. I know your Rosé will be enjoyed and I want to thank you both for taking me along on your journey.
Merci beaucoup and bon courage!
Article was nicely done. We are proud of Jean Marc. He is focused, a hard worker, and a good example to his family. Cyberhugs from the U.S.
Sorry to intrude with a business post, but I need to update my email address for your mailing list, and I can’t seem to figure out how. Something called FeedBlitz keeps asking for my FeedBlitz password.
Kristi and Jean-Marc,
I agree with what everyone above has said. Another maxim comes to mind: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Thank you both for sharing so much of you wonderful life and your huge hearts.
Both your and Jean Marc’s honest self-reflections are so impressive and inspiring to read. You are unusual in your ability to look at what has gone wrong and choose a better path forward. This new chapter has just begun unfolding and I send my best wishes for it to bring much happiness and success to both of you.
True! Rejoice!
Our dear Kristi and Jean Marc,
What a pleasure and privilege to share life’s journey with you.
We take joy and pride in all of your ups–which are many–and are always here with love and hugs for the downs,which are so very much fewer.
Most of all,we applaud your honesty–it takes courage not to gloss things over.
Thank you for such inspiration.
Blessings and happiness always.
Love
Natalia. XO
Thank you for staying subscribed, Diana. Please send me your old and new address and I will update your subscription. Send to Kristin.espinasse@gmail.com
Everyone has expressed the same feelings that I have about your Journal, your journey, and your lives, so I won’t repeat. I would give a lot to be able to attend one of the wine tastings. Unfortunately I live on the East coast, too far to travel. Therefore, I will have to imagine the taste, the aroma, the feeling of Provence, of the wine made by your hands.
Thank you again for writing this story of your lives letting us in. Best wishes to you all for this holiday season, and for all the years to come.
Yes, yes, yes to all the tributes above! Cherish and admire you to the moon and back, and the article in WineSpectator affirms all the very good reasons why we do. Open-hearted authenticity, courage, esprit, and devotion are the life-lines you unfailingly offer us all for our own nourishment. Merci, merci, merci infiniment.
Are those tasting dates for TX and OR in 2018?
Rick Spring
Okmulgee, OK
… I think K.W. Pote said it all and best. You and Jean Marc have led a life of many challenges and had met each one ‘head on’ … some easier than others. The hard ones were where your love and devotion for each other and the family kept your spirits going, no matter what. You have graciously allowed us to be a part of your life’s story, and for that we are all grateful! Jean Marc’s story is an inspiration to all of us to follow our dreams , but to know ‘when to fold them too. May God grant you and your family all
you wishes in the coming new year! Wishing you and early Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee! with Love, Judi Dunn
There’s a saying here – “The man who never made a mistake, never made anything”. Onwards and upwards!
Love the blog!
Hank
You never will know unless you try. I have read Robert Camuto’s book about wine on Sicily. He shows much admiration and respect for Jean-Marc.
As much as I would love to see you move this direction(Monterey County) the central and southern Oregon wine growing regions are pretty nice as are the people there. A bit of a note about them: After the devastating fires in Napa and Santa Rosa and the loss of several wineries, many wineries in Oregon offered those displaced from jobs a months worth of work at their wineries with pay and they would house and feed them for free. The west coast has a very strong support system.
Thank YOU, Kristi, for sharing your family’s heartwarming (and sometimes, heart-rending) story for so many years. And for your wonderful pictures that make us feel like we, too, are experiencing all the richness of la France Profonde.
Best of luck to Jean-Marc, who seems to be finding his feet again already. I hope you stay in France if that is what you want, but if you do go to Oregon, perhaps I will finally get to meet you–I’m not that far away, north of Seattle.
Greetings,
Meilleurs voeux de bonheur pour un joyeux Noël à tous
Merci pour les jolies histoires
– Théo
Dear Kristi,
Wow. I am grateful to now have a better understanding of what happened and I appreciate knowing now that wine making is still part of your lives. I also wish you and your family best wishes for happiness for Christmas and the new year. As for us, tonight is the first night of Chanukah and we will light the first candle.
Dear Kristi,
You and Jean-Marc are always so candid with your readers as you face life’s joys and challenges. That honesty made the Camuto article compelling.
It’s also part of the reason so many people from all corners of the world are such loyal, caring subscribers to your blog. Keep following your dreams and we will all be here cheering you on.
Hopefully we will be offered other opportunities to enjoy more of J-M’s special wines. Last summer’s rosé was magnifique!
Onward!
Sad and heart breaking, but life goes on. A lovely, close knit family, and good friends is worth more than a million vineyards. Family first, all else after that.
Check out Dharavi in Mumbai,India on Youtube videos, and know that life could be worse.
All the very best for the road ahead.
I’ve been a faithful reader of your column for several years
and want to express my sincerest gratitude for allowing me to follow in your shadows. You invite us into your life and we live ours vicariously thru yours. I’ve gotten to know all of your family, as well as your beloved dogs, and
look forward to reading your daily column. I know that Jean Marc will prevail and that there are no obstacles that
he can not overcome. He is blessed with a strong and supportive wife who stands behind him no matter what.
I wish you both the best and remember “je pense; donc je
suis”
It must have been so heartbreaking..all the while you kept all the worries to yourself.
I wish only the best for you and your family:)A great new year..in your new nest..health above all.
Thank you all for your kind messages. The page is turned and we are happy and live a much healthier life now. Of course, I would have preferred making the right choices and keep this magnificent piece of land but I have learned lots of things in this little “fiasco” and, even better, my family links are even stronger now. Kristi played an awesome part in supporting me and I will never forget that.
We are not going to move to Portland even if I do cherish a lot this city and the wines make in OR. But if I get the chance to make wine there, I would sign up with joy and excitement.
Happy Holidays
Cheers,
(ex) chief grape
I am so pleased to be able to see Jean-Marc and Max this friday at Gino’s. Wish you could be there too.
Happy, happy holidays Kristi.
You all hold special and dear places in my heart no matter life may lead you! A very Happy Christmas from this Arizona desert gal to you across the ocean. Hugs & more hugs!!! Thank YOU for the way you encourage each of us on this side of the blog. 🙂 You are adored. Feliz Navidad to Jules too!!!
We so believe in your resilence and persistence…
resilience!
The good news is, you are both very young! Yes, yes…I realize that following what you feel was a “failure” just as you both hit the 50-year-mark probably makes you feel much older than you actually are….50 IS YOUNG! And you will find yourselves, somewhere down the road saying, “Aha! THIS is what we learned from our ten-year venture in the vineyard…” BE WELL, Merry Christmas! Love Eileen Burns
Kristi, I can feel so many of your emotions as you so generously share the adventure of your lives. You and JM are in a transition phase of life right now. Dust is still settling for you two. Whether you realize it or not you’re doing the middle age thing. You’re looking back and what was isn’t what is anymore. It’s “do over” time … but do what with the rest of your days? It’s a time of reflection and consideration for sure. Once you’re rested and healed you will be able to set a new course. I’m proud of him for going after the dream. I’m prouder still of you guys for realizing that it wasn’t what you had thought it would be and stopping before things got even worse. You’ve shown logic, reason, and maturity. And so many times what’s lies ahead will far surpass the scope of your original dreams. Instead of hovering you will soar. You should consider Oregon even as an interim adventure. Wine country in Southern Oregon is exploding. New vineyards going in by the acre. Tell JM to check it out if he has the time.
hank you both for being open and sharing your stories–always insightful and helpful
Merry Christmas Stephen
I have been a reader of yours for many years now. I commend your husband on his dream and in making it a reality. Some dreams don’t ‘come true’ so to speak. But he did it and learned a great deal from the experience I am sure. Best of luck to your family in 2018! Transition can be a hard but necessary part of life. Bon annee!