Laure Colombo: Winemaker at Domaine Jean-Luc Colombo

Portrait of Laure Colombo, a winemaker in the Rhône region

The Jean-Luc Colombo Estate: Terroir and Grape Varieties

Name: Laure

Occupation: Winemaker

Region: Rhône Valley

Appellation: Saint Joseph, Cornas, Saint-Péray

His estate: As the owner of several hectares in the Rhône Valley—in the north in Cornas and Saint-Péray, and in the south along the Côte Bleue near Marseille—Jean-Luc is a man driven by passion! Since his very first vintage in 1987, he has been committed to sustainable viticulture in order to produce a wine that reflects his vision: an authentic, high-quality wine.

Her journey… Why wine? I was born into a family of chefs rather than winemakers. My parents don’t actually come from a winemaking background. They moved here nearly 30 years ago and built their business up over time. In fact, my parents are passionate about fine dining. My grandmother ran a restaurant in Marseille’s La Belle de Mai neighborhood. So I was, in a way, raised on bouillabaisse, pistou soup, and cannelloni. All of these things shaped my life, and even after my business studies and my travels to the United States and India, it all caught up with me. It was particularly during that last trip that I had a revelation about the concept of terroir. At that moment, I knew it was time to come home! Upon returning to France, I completed a program in viticulture and oenology in Bordeaux and did my training at Château Haut-Brion.

The wines of Domaine Colombo

Latest News: In February, I set up shop as a young winemaker in the Saint-Péray appellation in Cornas. I returned to Cornas with the goal of bringing something new to the table—not only to expand the range of wines at Domaine Colombo but also to offer a “great Saint-Péray”! I also wanted to be independent and work my own way. We all love the vineyard, but we can work it differently. So I planted all my vines myself. I wanted to learn!

Its reincarnation as a wine: It would be a Mourvèdre from Bandol. A wine with character, yet at the same time very calm and delicate. I choose it not only for its sensory qualities but also for everything that surrounds this wonderful product—its setting, its vineyards, the sunshine, the tranquility…

His favorite time of year: Definitely fall. Maybe just before the harvest. For me, the vineyard is more important than anything else. During this beautiful time of year, I go out to the vineyards with my mother, and we spend our time tasting the grapes to find the perfect moment! It’s a wonderful time, a beautiful bond with my mother. We get the chance to spend time together and share a common passion.

Her personality: I think I’m a little bit of a pain. I’m a go-getter through and through. I have a hard time sitting still. And I’m also pretty stubborn.

Here’s a little story: When I came back to Cornas, I had to find common ground with my father. We love each other very much, but working with family isn’t always easy. And then there’s the fact that I’m an only child. If I’d had a brother, I’m pretty sure I would have been relegated to marketing behind a computer. Things are changing in the wine world, but the image of the winemaker is still very much tied to that of a man. The best solution I found was to remind my father of his roots. After that, we created a new estate near Marseille. There, he has his boat and can go fishing whenever he wants. My mother and I like to joke that it’s a bit of an excuse for him to go fishing.

Her defining encounter: In the wine world, I had the opportunity to meet Jean-Michel Comme of Château Pontet-Canet. When I was still a student, I was part of a club that organized tastings, and it was during one of those events that I found myself sitting next to him. We chatted a bit, and he inspired me greatly. I actually identified with his vision of the vineyard, wine, and viticulture. It was all about simplicity and passion, without all the fancy theories. He later came to Cornas, and we had many discussions. It was truly fascinating.

Things to avoid/what I hate: At the risk of repeating what every winemaker probably tells you, I hate hail. But above all, I avoid people who aren’t passionate, those who don’t take ownership of their work. In fact, wine has been trendy for a while now, and you start to see all sorts of people in this industry—and sometimes you can be really disappointed. I like genuine people!

Why Les Grappes? What appealed to us was the community aspect. With Les Grappes, we work directly with the winemakers and give them a voice. No fuss—it’s all kept simple!

What do you like about your job? I love how varied it is! It’s an exciting job where no two days are alike. I love every aspect of it!

Who’s the most famous person you’ve had taste your wine? Not really anyone famous. I prefer to share my wine with friends or new customers. I also enjoy introducing my wine to chefs. Recently, we had the opportunity to host a tasting for friends from Maison Paul Bocuse. It was great!