Our Story
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2016
Inception – Market research, launch of the project
Christophe, graduated from Science Po and the Faculty of Law of Aix en Provence, is a globetrotter at heart. His house has no borders: from Italy to Norway, from Senegal to the Ivory Coast and from Brazil to Guyana, imbued with thousands of memories, aromas, flavours and smells. An expert in risk control and information management, he enjoys taking up challenges. This is how he participated in two marathons and played as a guitarist in a Pop-Rock band. If you come across Christophe and ask him what his leitmotiv is, he will answer with this quote:
“To achieve something really extraordinary, start by dreaming it. Then, wake up calmly and go straight to the end of your dream without ever getting disheartened.”
Walt Disney
Patrick, who has a master’s degree in entrepreneurship, launched a trendy coffee shop in Marseille in 2012. A native of Tahiti on his mother’s side, he is passionate about travel, football and salsa which he practiced in clubs. In 2015, Patrick also opened a wine bistro while sharpening his palate as a wine taster. Entrepreneur at heart and project creator, in 2019, a new opportunity allows him to open a sales outlet in Aix-en-Provence. For him, a phrase from Laurence Fishburn, illustrates his ambition very well:
“Don’t think you are (the best), know you are”
2017
Meeting and selection of our suppliers and partners
Meetings with various market players – producers, traders, bottlers, and logistics specialists – to gauge needs and select quality operators.
Goals
- To implement the best vinification methods and grape variety selections in line with market and consumer trends in order to produce pleasurable, contemporary and elegant wines.
- Registration of the brand Le Secret des Amants at the INPI.
2018
Launch of production, first sales, implementation of the commercial policy
Success of our Crowdfunding campaign on ULULE which allows us to pre-sale 800 bottles, introduce our concept and raise additional funds.
Creation of our wine trading and winemaking company as well as our beverage wholesale business.
2019
Fund raising with 7 shareholders, start of export to the USA and Europe
Our vintages are very well received by consumers and professionals and allow us to create a network of customers in France and internationally.
To set out and turn our dream into reality, to create wines that share pleasure and elegance “à la française”.
Our ambitions
Our ambition is to become a key player in the international development of French wines.
We opened our capital to 7 new shareholders who are passionate about wine and gastronomy.
2020
Recruitment of 4 employees, success of the BIO ECOCERT certification, and development of the VF, IGP, AOP and BIO ranges.
- Recruitment and strengthening of our sales team
- Support for nursing staff, wine merchants and wine professionals during periods of confinement.
Our wines, our know-how
The vines are located in the Languedoc region for our VDF, and IGP OC, on the soils of La Malepère in the west of Aude, along the Minervoise river.
For our Mediterranean IGP and AOP Coteau d’Aix en Provence, the vines are located in the heart of Provence between the Alpilles, Lubéron and Sainte-Victoire massifs.
The vines are mostly hand-harvested. Vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and concrete tanks. The maceration is traditional. Some vintages are matured in new oak barrels. Our residual sugars and SO2 levels are low and respect the environment as much as possible. We are ECOCERT certified for our organic wines and certified by Bureau Veritas for our IGP wines.
All our cuvées are made from rigorously selected grapes and then vinified according to our own specifications in order to guarantee a unique and constant quality and identity from vintage to vintage.
Through our brands “Le Secret des Amants” and “LES P’TITS AMANTS” we produce wine vintages whose aim is to modernise the image of French wines, offering an excellent quality/price ratio.
Elegant and gourmet, our cuvées are designed to simplify tasting and bring amateurs and connoisseurs together. The company’s head office is based in Aix-en-Provence, for strategical questions and especially to receive our international partners.
Silver Medal
La Rencontre 100% VIOGNIER cuvée won the silver medal at the ANIVIN de France competition (BEST VALUE) at the PROWEIN international wine fair and the silver medal at the International Wine Challenge, one of the most prestigious international competitions, exceeding 91/100 points in 2020. For information, our viognier has also been selected as the “white aperitif” for the summer 2019 by Femme Actuelle. You will be able to pair it with fish and shellfish but also with a selection of cheeses.
Medal of Honour
La cuvée L’Envie 100% GRENACHE #ROSE was awarded an honorary medal at the International Wine Challenge. We are very proud of it and our customers are particularly delighted with it.
Concours mondial de Bruxelles
La Parade, 100% MALBEC was to be presented at the world competition in Brussels but with the Covid19 the competition was postponed. We hope to have good news at the end of the year. In the meantime, we are very pleased to offer it because it is a 100% French Malbec. Cocorico
Silver Medal
Les Amants Naissants 100% SYRAH cuvée won the silver medal at the London International Wine Competition. It is our best selling wine in volume in France. It is especially loved for its aromatic intensity, with notes of black fruit, spices and vanilla on the finish.
Bronze Medal
La Parade, 100% MALBEC is awarded the bronze medal.
Medal of Honour
The SYRAH cuvée awarded medal of honor at the International Wine Challenge
Our sites
In only three years we have gained new customers all over France but also abroad as our wines are exported to the United States, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Canada. Regularly our wines have been rewarded, on the radio (#InVino, #RTL2), in the national press (#FemmeActuelle, #cuisineactuelle), in the trade media (#VinsetGastronomie, #Terredevins) and in international competitions (#IWC, #CMB, #LWC…).
Thanks to the expertise of the processes at each stage in the creation of our wines, we are able to adapt our wines to the needs and desires of consumers in order to meet world market demand. We are also able to adapt all of our dry materials (labels, corks, screw caps, protective caps, bottle types) to consumer trends.
Our team
Christophe
Patrick
Nathalie
Jean-charles
Coline
David
Our Partners
