Winemaker, Pascale Riviere’s transformation from city dweller to winemaker was prompted by love at first sight—she fell in love with her first vines on the highest point of the Causse de Montpeyroux, and the nearby 17th century sheep barn. Standing tall against the wind, bathed in sunshine, La Jasse Castel overlooks the Hérault Valley. The vineyard is made up of a century-old Cinsault near the village of Arboras, an ancient Carignan tucked away amongst the Olivettes, a purebred Syrah on the edge of an oak forest, and a goblet-trained Grenache in the heart of the Seranne landscape. In theory there was no particular reason why Pascale should become a winemaker, yet everything led her to this. A former journalist, teacher and writer, she told us: “my growing desire to make wine and own a domaine came to fruition in 1998. Since then, every day has been magical, sensual, a wonderful discovery, and a learning process.” For her, the word “culture” has found its roots again — never-ending story of our shared humanity.