Château La Valetanne, a blend of authenticity and the human touch
Patrick Schuller, a former defense engineer, fulfilled his dream by purchasing Château La Valetanne, a 14-hectare winery.
Coming from a military family and having studied at a military high school at the Prytanée de La Flèche, Patrick Schuller has always had a strong connection to a sense of commitment and teamwork, values he has successfully transferred to the wine world. After a career at the Ministry of the Armed Forces and international experience with Défense Conseil International, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to explore the wine sector. "I have always had an interest in wine, which is part of the French art of living," he confides.
His love for wine began in his youth, when he collected binders on grape varieties and wine regions.
Accompanied by his wife, this entrepreneur thus acquired Château La Valetanne, an estate benefiting from a passionate and competent team. "When I walked through the gates of the castle, I knew it was the perfect place," he recalls.
MODERN EQUIPMENT For nearly three years, Patrick Schuller has divided his time between Paris and Var, where he is fully involved in the estate. With the help of Damien Pagès, a renowned winemaker with solid past experience in Bourgogne and Champagne, he has revitalized the estate.
"We have invested in modern equipment and developed our communication. La Valetanne offers all 3 colors with 80% rosé wine, 15% white wine, and 5% red wine. In Var, rosé is predominant.
I love the words lightness, sun, light, joy of living associated with rosé, they put light into bottles," he explains. The Rolle grape variety was introduced to diversify the offering because the estate is conscious of consumption trends and wishes to meet the growing demand for white wine, which is particularly popular with younger generations.
In parallel, the estate is turning towards events, offering immersive and intimate experiences, limited to 70 people. Patrick Schuller aspires to create a place of sharing and friendliness, where wine becomes the common thread of memorable moments.
"Wine is a living material that accompanies us through time. When we open a bottle, we share memories; it is a landmark in our lives, associated with our life path. Each shared bottle evokes personal stories, the wines enhance dishes and are part of the French art of living," he emphasizes.
Patrick Schuller, passionate and determined, is now striving to restore Château La Valetanne to its full glory by combining modernity, authenticity, and the human dimension—three pillars guiding his commitment.
Laurette PARAY - Photo by Philippe OLIVIER.