Olivier, head of the pioneering Plaimont co-operative in South West France, will take a deep dive into the study of grape varieties and the vital role their diversity plays in shaping the future of wine.

As the industry faces increasing homogenisation and climate challenges, Plaimont has championed rare Pyrenean grape varieties such as Petit Courbu, Manseng Noir and Tardif, preserving France’s rich viticultural heritage. Olivier will explain how a single rediscovered vine has led to a revival planting of 40 hectares, which he believes will ensure unique, resilient wines for generations to come, and will discuss much more of his region’s role in the wider future of wine.

Olivier joined Plaimont in 2008 as technical director, with the specific aims of developing rediscovered grape varieties preserved in the co-operative’s unique vine conservatory and defining the most exciting micro-terroirs of the different appellations in which its members work. As managing director and head winemaker since 2012 he has continued the inspiring work of co-operative founder André Dubosc, emphasising the exceptional diversity of grape varieties, terroirs and savoir-faire of the IGP Côtes de Gascogne and AOC Saint Mont, Madiran and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh.

Born in Béarn, Olivier grew up in a small co-operative farming family, his passion for trees, genetic diversity and wine inherited from his grandfather, a nurseryman and viticulturist. After graduating in oenology and before Plaimont, he spent 10 years between Bordeaux and South America, as oneologist and technical director at the important co-operative winery les Vignerons de Tutiac and launching a unique winemaking project in Uruguay, Viñedo de Minas, where he planted 28 hectares of Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.

To learn more see plaimont.com

To join this Zoom seminar, please register now or at any time before 5pm GMT on March 18th. The session, including Q&As, will last for approximately one hour. To register, follow the links below. Guests will be very welcome, but please let Andrea know their names.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/yvbj2dJKSP-q_ykmqFq3sQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

We look forward to seeing you then.

If you can’t attend the live session, there will be a recording available to watch afterwards on the Circle’s YouTube channel (links to this and earlier sessions are in the members’ area of the website).

Michèle Shah & Liz Sagues, CWW online events organisers