Esprit de corps

Cécile Dusserre never imagined being anything but a vigneronne. For sure, there had been classical dance, another passion, which she still pursues. But she never saw herself topping the bill and preferred to change course, keeping dance as her pick-me-up. What is it she loves in the relentless focus on motion, on bossing her body to attain grace? The rigorous effort, the gestural precision, the thrill of performance. Exactly like her profession. But Cécile has no regrets; and to spend a few hours with her is to understand that prima ballerina would have been far too solitary a role for her. What she loves above all is sharing, in a climate of respect and affection. She did so first with her parents.When Cécile came home, in 1992, her mother provided a reassuring presence and her father, an engineer and oenologist, took charge of training her. Forwardlooking and proud to pass on the family heritage, the educator tenderly guided his daughter year after year. Then Philippe Cartoux arrived. Also a grower, he took over managing the vineyards. Cécile has continued to look after the vinifying. Domaine de Montvac has now entered another dimension thanks to the family’s benevolent care, to their steadfast belief that the best is yet to come. If wine is a byword for passion, movement and generosity, then yes, Cécile is still on her toes, dancing away.