Frederic Zeimett
Portrait
CEO of Champagne Leclerc Briant, a pioneering biodynamic estate in Champagne
In 2012, the purchase of Leclerc Briant by Mark Nunnelly and Denise Dupré saved the House from oblivion. This American couple is passionate about the French art of living and fell in love with this non-conformist house. As a native of the Champagne region, I joined the house adopting its codes and ensuring that its unique, internationally recognized style is passed on.
How did your project come about?
With the help of some friends, I had the opportunity to buy the Champagne House Leclerc Briant in 2012. For family reasons, the company had been stripped of its historic vineyard (30ha of certified organic and biodynamic vines) and was now just a "big empty shell".
Our objective was to revive this beautiful House while respecting its deep DNA, marked by the imprint of three cardinal virtues : Respect, Singularity, and Emotion (CSR!!!)
What is your major challenge in terms of improvement within 2 years?
Respect being one of the House's cardinal virtues, is understood as respect for the soil, vineyard, its grapes and the wines. It is seen throughout the entire production process, which is intended to be gentle and natural. Respect is a tribute to sustainable development. The latter being the true compass of all our actions.
Leclerc Briant, as the only 100% organic wine merchant in the Champagne region, has also made it its mission to contribute to the structuring of the organic sector in its home region, Champagne!
What is your major challenge in terms of improvement within 2 years?
For several months now, we have been implementing a CSR qualification process, with the main aim of uniting all of the company's employees around values that make sense to us. Pushing not only to make people understand but federating to go even faster and further. These are our real challenges for the next two years.
Your definition of ‘Sustainable Luxury’
In my eyes, true luxury is made up of simplicity and emotion. No artifice, no wordy storytelling, no outrageous marketing and no crude or grandiloquent staging. Just valuing the product in its simplicity, in its absolute respect for the environment, in its singularity and in its pure emotion!
It is no coincidence that Leclerc Briant's motto can be summed up in this simple phrase "Nature at work".
Why join 1.618 ?
A community of thought, a space for reflection and dialogue, an exchange of experiences, based on common and true values. Together, we will go higher!
What are your main sources of inspiration?
Reading, meetings, trend books, detailed analysis of the movements and initiatives of our competitors, but also and above all the observation of nature...
Nature is stronger than man, it shows the way to those who know how to watch and listen to it.
