Eric PORCHET

It was in Russin that we had the pleasure of meeting Éric Porchet, owner of around 12 hectares of vineyards. Éric is also a fruit grower – he cultivates around ten different varieties of apple – and a farmer. He admits, with great humour, that he enjoys the latter activity mainly for the pleasure of getting on the tractor. Among the grape varieties that Éric grows on his estate are Chasselas, Gamay, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Pinot Noir, Gamaret, Garanoir and Cabernet Franc.

‘It’s never easy to talk about yourself.’

Éric’s friends call him ‘the Gaul’. Always with a smile on his face, he tells us we can interpret this nickname however we like. One thing is certain: if you ever meet him, you’ll find his good humour is infectious. In his own words, he describes himself as enterprising and always keen to move forward by throwing himself wholeheartedly into whatever he does.

For Éric, a winegrower must be passionate and motivated to do this demanding job. No two years are the same, and that is precisely what makes the work in the vineyard so challenging and, at the same time, so varied.

A love of wine passed down through the generations

Éric inherited his passion for viticulture from his family and is part of the fifth generation of winegrowers! The family has been growing grapes at La Cave de Genève since his grandfather’s time. Éric first studied at business school, then at Marcelin, whilst taking courses in arboriculture and integrated pest management, as well as undertaking professional work placements in viticulture and arboriculture.

If there’s one time of year that Éric enjoys most, it’s definitely the grape harvest, the culmination of a whole year’s work. The friendly, convivial atmosphere of the harvest, as well as the joy of catching up with friends at La Cave, are moments he particularly enjoys. When asked what he likes least, it’s definitely the weather conditions, which the winegrower has no control over.

“The construction of the new winery is a lovely memory.”

Our winemaker closely followed the construction of the new winery, and it is a memory he fondly recalls. It was a landmark event for him – a project on which he and his colleagues worked together to create the facility they have today. When he talks about La Cave de Genève, Éric’s words are each more positive than the last. For him, it is a wonderful team, made up of dynamic and professional people who bring their individual skills to bear to create, in unison, delicious wines and to raise the profile of La Cave.

He loves all the wines from La Cave de Genève, because, in his view, the oenologists do a magnificent job. If he had to choose just one, his heart would go to the Cœur de Clémence, which he describes as the emblem of La Cave, its flagship product.

And what about the future?

For the future of the trade, he hopes to find motivated and courageous young people to carry on this wonderful profession, pass on his knowledge and enable people to continue enjoying good wine. In fact, Éric is currently training a friend’s son so that he can take over the estate in the future.