Adams French Vineyards
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In 1993, billionaire Stephen Adams and his wife Denise were married at a country chapel in St.-Emilion, Bordeaux’s historic Right Bank city. This was the beginning of Adams’ fascination with French culture and wine, a fascination that would cause him to purchase six (and counting) Châteaux in and around St. Emilion. His considerably diverse holdings, amassed over the course of 47 years, include banks, billboards, recreational vehicles, and now wineries – and in France, no less. Known collectively as Adams French Vineyards, this gives a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘an American in Paris.’
Beginning in 2000, Stephen Adams bought Château Lagarosse, in the rolling hills of the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux. He followed this in 2002 with the purchase of Château de Candale in St.-Emilion. Still looking for a flagship winery, he found it in 2004 with the purchase of Château Fonplégade, a 48-acre property located on St.-Emilion’s limestone plateau, yet needing some TLC. His total renovation of the property, at a cost of $7 million, including large new fermentation tanks, and vineyard improvements.
In 2005, he bought Château de Bel-Air in Lalande-de-Pomerol. And, last year, he added Château Roylland in St.-Emilion and Château L’Enclos in Pomerol. All along, his strategy always was (and still is) to pay relatively low prices for properties, then upgrade heavily – all under the direction of Michel Rolland.
Join us as we talk with Stephen Adams at Château Fonplegade in St. Emilion, and tour vineyards and wineries of this and several other of Adams’ properties, including Château De Bel Air, Château de Candale, and Château Lagarosse.
For More Info on Adams French Vineyards: www.adamsfrenchvineyards.com/
The sponsor of this video is Millesima, Fine Wine Merchants: www.millesima-usa.com
Another great job. However the video seemed to start and stop alot. Maybe my download was bad.
Haha, this is a great video. But it’s funny that Adams never appears outdoors and an employee who obviously takes care of a lot of the real work (not Rolland) does almost all of the talking. Typical “winemakers”.
I miss the audio podcasts. I used to download them to my ipod befor going to work in the vineyards but I have been unable to do it for the last sevaral weeks.
Need to do some audios. It is Grape RADIO after all, isn’t it?
E
Ryan,
As it turns out, we were quite fortunate to be able speak with Mr. Adams that day, as he had just arrived in France and was on a very tight schedule visiting several additional properties (and who knows, perhaps scouting for others). Also, from a filming perspective, we already had plenty of footage of vineyard activities, and wanted to record the interview in the Château. And finally, you must admit there probably aren’t too many billionaire proprietors who personally tend to their vineyards or make their wine.
Eric
Emilio,
We haven’t forgotten our roots. We had a great deal of video “in the can” that we wanted to show everyone. We’ll be back with some audio shows before you know it. OTOH, you know you can still put these videos on your iPod and “listen” to them.
Eric
Where is the love for video?
Jay
Love your video’s. Love you audio’s too! Audios are great for planes, trains and automobiles. Video great for watching while downloading files. BTW your camera work has progressed from great to fantastic.
Thanks, Tim. Yes, my camera work has indeed… oh wait…you’re talking about Mark!
Thanks, I’m sure he’ll be pleased to hear your reaction. And, FWIW, I completely agree…dazzling camera work Mark!
Eric
Mark frequently posts under the alias of Tim Meranda.
Tim,if Mark raises his rates after reading your post, I am sending the bill to you!
Jay
Jay,
You mean Mark actually has the gall to CHARGE you to go to France and drink wine and shoot a little video?
“You mean Mark actually has the gall to CHARGE you to go to France and drink wine and shoot a little video?”
I KNOW! Wouldn’t you think that would be payment enough?
Actually, I can’t think of a superlative sufficient enough to compliment Mark’s video prowess. Frankly, it’s just fun for me being along on the ride, watching him work.
Eric
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