As we approach the end of the year, we thought it would be fun to do a Q&A blog to reply to the top five questions that we receive from our friends, fans and customers. So we have invited David Stannard, Founder Director of Paradise Rescued to give you a few answers to your questions…
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Paradise Rescued Founder Director David Stannard answers your questions
Q: How long has Paradise Rescued been in operation?
DS: My family purchased the first vineyard block, Hourcat Sud Cabernet Franc, back in mid 2009. We commenced active viticultural management on January 1st 2010, beginning with pruning in February that year. The 2010 B1ockOne / Cloud9 was our first production vintage.
Q: Why did you choose the name Paradise Rescued?
DS: I always love this question as it links back to our Mission at Paradise Rescued. Before we started operations, I put a lot of effort and preparation into the strategy and Vision for Paradise Rescued.
As I worked with Sue Gregory, her number one question was always “David, why do you want to do this?” And my consistent answer was “I want to save the land around my family and our friends – our small piece of paradise – from being turned into a housing estate.” And on one occasion, Sue replied “So what you are really trying to do is to Rescue Paradise?” And hence the name Paradise Rescued was born.
It has had the added benefit of being a very different name and brand when almost everyone else is a “Château”. We therefore get to stick out from the busy crowd of 8,500 other Bordeaux wine producers.
Q: Which is your best wine so far?
DS: This is never an easy one to answer as only the 2010 Cabernet Franc is drinking right now with more recent good vintages poised to follow. Based on a recent vertical tasting, I would have to say that the 2014 B1ockOne Cabernet Franc has incredible potential. For Merlot, I think it will be 2015 – the fruit this year was amazing.
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From Cabbage Patch to Cabernet Franc – the Paradise Rescued story… so far. David Stannard’s first book will be released in early 2016.
Q: What is your best success so far?
DS: Oooh, there are many to be proud of! Let me select three… Number one: despite size and almost everything else not being in our favour, project Paradise Rescued is both very much alive and thriving after six full years of operation. And just starting to really show its potential, reflecting the work and dedication of our small diverse and talented team.
The second big success is the clear simple strategic approach that we have followed (and maintained) since day one – Good fruit; Expert Vinification; Niche Brand Market Access.
Finally, the quality and success of our first 2010 Cabernet Franc vintage. It surprised us but gave us the confidence that we could push further and create something very special and unique. Which is why my first book is entitled “From Cabbage Patch to Cabernet Franc”.
Q: And your biggest failure?
DS: Sorry, we don’t keep a record of our failures! We have had some disappointments and many significant challenges. We have learned on both a technical and leadership level from those moments and moved forward to the next opportunity to create something better. We have used them as stepping stones to help us realise our Vision.
Thank you David. And look out there early in 2016 for that book “From Cabbage Patch to Cabernet Franc” for more of the Paradise Rescued story. And those insights into how paradise was rescued.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]