Radical and on the move

15 years ago, Olivier Ramé's life looked very different. Together with his wife Stéphanie he lived in an apartment in Paris. He was a financial advisor, she was a marketing manager. Of course, the two liked to drink wine, especially as Stéphanie comes from a family of winemakers. But Olivier would never have thought that he would become a winemaker himself. After all, his career as an expert in corporate mergers was going very well – why think about a new start? But then the moments where Olivier had enough of the big city and the financial world piled up. When his father-in-law announced one day that he would sell his winery, a jolt went through the young Frenchman. He decided to take a completely new path. He quit his job and trained as a winemaker. However, it soon became clear that as a wine maker he did not want to follow the beaten path. So he travelled around the world for two years and visited 200 wine regions. «I wanted to gain as many experiences as possible around the topic of wine, see how it is done elsewhere and find my own style», explains the ambitious beginner. The first years as a winemaker were challenging, because the winery had been run very conventionally until then and had not bottled its wines itself but sold them to middle-men. A lot of work and a complete rethink were needed to make Maison Ventenac the innovative organic wine estate it is today. But in his free time Olivier also proves that he has no problem with taking the path less travelled. With his Gravel Bike he explores the southern French landscape as he pleases. Never getting lost but always taking the challenging route!

How did you come to wine?

I grew into the world of wine because I was surrounded by vines and wines all my life. My brother and I are the 5th generation of a family of winegrowers from the Douro region. So it was very easy to follow my calling. I studied oenology to continue the history of our wine-making family.

If Claudia’s red were a piece of music, what would it be?

«For Elise» by Ludwig van Beethoven. This has been my favourite song in classical music since my childhood – and today my 14-year-old daughter Beatriz plays it perfectly on the piano.

What gives you energy?

The indescribable and wonderful landscape of the Douro. As Miguel Torga, a poet from the region, once said: «The Douro is a debauchery of nature, a geological poem.

At what moment is Claudia's red the perfect wine?

If you have a lot of time and want to enjoy a good glass of wine with some nice people. This wine wants to be drunk in peace and without haste, so that one can get into it properly. So that in the end everyone is happy, satisfied and fulfilled.

How do your friends describe you?

As a happy person who is super positive. In addition, I am strongly connected with the family and the family history. But above all: Authentic and true to my nature.

«Wine is music for me!», stresses Austrian winegrower Hannes Reeh – and because his wines do not require beauty and frippery, the rock music fan found the term «unplugged» perfect for his wine. And how does the acoustic version of the Zweigelt taste? «It's like playing guitar at the campfire. Just pure and real. Yes, Hannes Reeh certainly demonstrates a lot of tact for nature, his wine comes across as pleasantly relaxed. This is why this wine is the ideal wine for us at the beginning of autumn: perfect for the warm, golden days. The tranquility, gentleness and colourful splendour of nature invites us to linger and «unplug». Simply pull the plug and enjoy it. Speaking of autumn pleasure: This full-bodied, powerful Zweigelt is a fabulous match for game. Where hind and stag wish eachother good night, it's definitely a good place to live!