Nicolas Réau

Apprenticed in agriculture and truffle affairs with his grandfather since 2nd grade, Nicolas Reau's journey into the world of wine began at a tender age. His love for wine blossomed at eight years old when his grandfather sneakily introduced him to small glasses of red wine while his grandmother wasn't looking. Despite initially pursuing a career as a professional pianist, Nicolas's path took a turn in 1994 when he stumbled upon an advertisement for a professional degree in viticulture and oenology. This serendipitous encounter led him to pivot from his musical aspirations to embark on an exciting adventure in winemaking.

In 1998, Nicolas took the reins of a 28-hectare estate, but it was in 2001 that he made a pivotal decision. After meticulous analysis and three years of hands-on experience, he made the bold choice to retain only five hectares out of the original 28, creating the renowned Clos des Treilles under his DBA name. By 2002, he produced his inaugural vintage, embracing natural yeast and minimal intervention from the outset.

The turning point in Nicolas's career came in 2005 when he crossed paths with Sylvie Augereau, a prominent French wine writer and advocate for natural wines. Their meeting marked not only the beginning of a personal relationship but also a professional collaboration that would shape the future of French natural wine. Embraced by a network of natural wine pioneers, Nicolas delved deeper into biodynamic practices without pursuing formal certification. His philosophy centers on conscientious farming to craft wines that are pure, distinctive, and sincere.

Nicolas's approach is guided by intuition, seeking a delicate balance between phenolic maturity and low potential alcohol during harvest. By allowing nature to dictate the vineyard work and refraining from excessive cellar interventions, he believes in preserving the fruit's energy and essence throughout the winemaking process. The result is wines characterized by natural acidity, freshness, and a unique personality that reflects the terroir and meticulous craftsmanship of this visionary winemaker.