JEK
Senior Insider
http://on.wsj.com/1T4ttBj
WHEN VÉRONIQUE Drouhin-Boss declared her desire to become a winemaker at her family’s celebrated Burgundy domaine, Maison Joseph Drouhin, her father wasn’t disappointed that none of his sons wanted the job. Instead, Robert Drouhin told his daughter, “ ‘You are the guardian of the style of the family,’ ” Véronique recalled as we stood before Beaune Clos des Mouches, arguably the Drouhins’ most famous vineyard, a few weeks ago.
Hers was an unusual ambition in Burgundy some 30 years ago. Véronique, now 53 years old, was the only woman in her class of 22 at enology school in Dijon. But she was the sibling best suited to the role of head winemaker. Her eldest brother, Philippe, was slated to become president of the Beaune-based company but preferred the position of vineyard manager, so the youngest in the family, Frédéric, a business school graduate, became president instead. Another of Véronique’s younger brothers, Laurent, became brand ambassador and North American sales and marketing director, moving from France to New York.
WHEN VÉRONIQUE Drouhin-Boss declared her desire to become a winemaker at her family’s celebrated Burgundy domaine, Maison Joseph Drouhin, her father wasn’t disappointed that none of his sons wanted the job. Instead, Robert Drouhin told his daughter, “ ‘You are the guardian of the style of the family,’ ” Véronique recalled as we stood before Beaune Clos des Mouches, arguably the Drouhins’ most famous vineyard, a few weeks ago.
Hers was an unusual ambition in Burgundy some 30 years ago. Véronique, now 53 years old, was the only woman in her class of 22 at enology school in Dijon. But she was the sibling best suited to the role of head winemaker. Her eldest brother, Philippe, was slated to become president of the Beaune-based company but preferred the position of vineyard manager, so the youngest in the family, Frédéric, a business school graduate, became president instead. Another of Véronique’s younger brothers, Laurent, became brand ambassador and North American sales and marketing director, moving from France to New York.
