What better way to define a wine professional versus a wine lover than to hear it from Pierre Olivier Clouet of Chateau Cheval Blanc.
Pierre Olivier Clouet is the kind of winemaker whose energy is so palpable, you half expect him to vivify the vines just by striding through the rows. In this episode, you’ll discover not just the technical mastery behind Chateau Cheval Blanc’s celebrated wines, but the deep philosophy and love that animate every bottle. Clouet lifts the veil on what it means to steward such an iconic estate—how the responsibility is as heavy as it is joyous, shaped equally by the demands of two centuries of tradition and the pressing realities of climate change. You’ll learn why Clouet sees himself and his team as neither mere custodians nor trend-chasers, but as humble interpreters of terroir, bound to channel the distinct voice of each vintage rather than impose market whim or ego. Through engaging analogies—likening vintages to Picasso’s works or invoking Coco Chanel’s wisdom on enduring style—he offers insight into the difference between crafting a “brand” and expressing a “growth,” making clear why chasing market trends is a race already lost. Listeners will come away enlightened about the quiet heroics and constant adaptation beneath the surface of great wine: from balancing innovation with heritage, to fostering team stability, to opening the toolbox against climate change with agroforestry and vineyard tweaks. Blending agronomy with poetry, Clouet reveals that true wine is not just a product but a vessel of culture, history, and conviviality. So, pour yourself a glass and get ready to feel the heartbeat of Saint-Émilion—and to see why, for Cheval Blanc, making wine isn’t about following fashion but honoring a living legacy, one harvest, one conversation, and one meaningful sip at a time.
