The Proust Q&A: Anne Gros

Since taking over her father Francois’ estate in 1988 aged only 25, Anne Gros has sealed her family name as one of the greatest Burgundy domaines of all time. She has three grand cru, Richebourg, Echezaux and Clos de Vougeot and has grown the estate from three to six and a half hectares. Since 2008, their first vintage, Gros and her partner, Jean Paul Tollot have also been making wine in Cazelles in the Minervois where they grow Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault at the same altitude as Vosne-Romanée at 220 metres. Gros sits down with dbHK and speaks about finding spontaneous happiness and never tiring in her quest to succeed.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

TRUST.

What is your greatest fear?

The decomposition of everything.

Which living person do you most admire?

My three children.

What is your greatest extravagance?

To be able to make decisions quickly.

What is your current state of mind?

It’s still in development.

What is the quality you most like in another person?

Courage.

Who or what is the greatest love of your life?

Nature.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Do you love me?

When and where were you happiest?

It happens spontaneously and it could be anywhere – with people or just lost in nature…

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

To have a lighter body!

Which talent would you most like to have?

Humour.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I’m not yet finished.

Where would you most like to live?

By the sea and or in mountains.

What is your most treasured possession?

My lands and vineyards.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Discretion.

Who is your favourite writer?

For the moment, Anna Gavalda.

Who is your hero of fiction?

Indiana Jones.

What is it that you most dislike?

Mosquitoes.

What is your greatest regret? 

A lot.

What is your motto?

Better later than never.

Who would be your ideal dinner party guests and what three wines would you serve?

Friends in a simple place outside with some great white Burgundy – Chassagne, Meursault – Vosne Romanée 1er cru or grand cru and Minervois La Ciaude.