7.00 Rise and take my dog Syrah for a quick run on the vineyards. Syrah is in training as truffle hunter extraordinaire and needs to get to know the lie of the land. She explores the 'garrigue' with great interest while I take a look at the progress on the vines

8.30 Meeting with the assistant winemaker, to discuss the elevage of our premium syrah cuvée.

12.00 Lunch with the family and visitors to the vineyard. Its very important to eat together and spend time over lunch.
We drink a bottle of whatever wine is being bottled at the estate that week.
2pm Phone conference with local expert on market conditions

4 pm Tour of the vineyard with visiting journalist. To really give him a feel for the area I take him on a tour of the vineyards in my jeep. Its a bumpy ride but the stunning view of Carroux mountains seems to impress.

8 pm Home to Beziers for a quick change and then to pay a visit to my good friends who have a vineyard specialising in Chardonnay just outside Beziers. We have a long, hotly debated tasting in the cellar followed by a barbeque accompanied by a wonderful Sancerre.