Lolita Sene
From Paris nightlife to the vineyards of Gard
A bold and inspired career change
Lolita Sene, born in 1987, had a life before her career as a winemaker. She first worked as artistic director of a club in Paris. After two years in this role, she enrolled in an agronomy school, and although she had no family roots in viticulture, she decided to follow her passion for natural wine. Her love for living wines pushed her to explore cellars and vineyards in France and North America. Frustrated at not being directly involved in the production of what she was serving and recommending, she decided to take the plunge.
Small scale, high standards
One hectare of her own, plus a mindful négoce
Today, Lolita owns a small hectare of vines in Gard and collaborates with a trading party to pursue her passion. She started small in 2018 with 1,800 bottles, then increased production to 5,000 bottles in 2019. Her motto is "start small, stay small." She joins the growing community of natural winegrowers from Gard, the new generation, alongside names such as Valentin Vallès or Les Frères Soulier.
A manual and committed viticulture
By hand, from vine to bottle
In her vineyards, Lolita works in organic farming, mainly using manual tools such as rotofil and backpack sprayer. Her artisanal approach continues in the cellar, which she shares with Nicolas Renaud of Clos des Grillons, where each step, from harvest to labeling, is carried out manually. The grapes are pressed with a ratchet press, lightly crushed by foot, then the vats are filled using buckets, before being bottled with a small machine.
Natural winemaking and respect for the fruit
The wines are made without any chemical input, Lolita preferring to let the grapes follow their own path in fermentation.
Living and promising wines
Rising elegance from a passionate winemaker
Its wines are becoming more and more accomplished and elegant, offering hope of continuing to shine for many years to come. Her passion and dedication for natural wine led her to leave her previous life in Paris to pursue her dream.