Meeting: Aline Beauné and Hélène Sarkis, winemakers in Côte Chalonnaise

Despite your very different paths, there is one great similarity: the recent choice to take the reins of a domaine in Coast Chalonnaise Are you satisfied with it?

AB: I've never regretted it for a moment, despite the difficulties. I'm happy to showcase my parents' forty-five years of winemaking. Every time I receive compliments on the wines, I share them with them. Because it's their viticultural choices, the quality of what they replanted, that are behind them.

HS: I'm very lucky to have been entrusted with the keys to a domaine a Burgundian company with a certain solid foundation, a reputation, and exceptionally well-maintained facilities, along with the resources to work with our ideas and ambitions. Jean-Marc and Vincent Joblot placed their complete trust in me to manage their domaine which is also rare.

Is being a female winemaker still a topic of discussion today?

AB: No. I met some great people in the business, I wasn't hindered because I'm a woman.

HS: Same here. Except perhaps for a few comments from buyers, including the famous "Do you make the wine?" (laughs).

AB: That's true, we still hear those kinds of comments often!

HS: In any case, it seems to me that no one believes anymore that we can't do as well as our male colleagues. Women like Lalou Bize-Leroy, Nadine Gublin, Dominique Hauvette, and Marlène Soria have all been there…

AB: To take the example of Montagny Françoise Feuillat-Juillot is an essential figure.

HS: Where I sometimes remain perplexed is regarding the presence of women and their ability to inject their dynamism into bodies such as trade unions. ODG interprofessional.

You are both oenologists. Is this a necessary qualification in today's highly technical world of wine?

HS: It's an asset, but not essential. If a degree were needed today, it would more likely be in agronomy! Oenology studies don't cover viticulture nearly enough. During my studies, I requested a pruning internship, and only three of us went…

AB: Indeed, the viticulture aspect is sorely lacking if you only hold a degree in oenology. I'm very glad I went through the BTS program for that.

HS: If I had to do it again, I think I would pursue a dual degree in oenology and agriculture. Viticulture is, after all, 80% of our profession.