Malcolm & Stephanie
November 3rd, 2008Stephanie and Malcolm live in Laroque des Alberes in the south of France.
Malcolm
Malcolm was in senior sales roles in the UK hospitality industry for over 20 years latterly with Whitbread PLC (now Inbev). He was responsible for sales of brands including Stella Artois, Hoegaarden and Leffe. It was a consultative role that often involved financing and business advice to independent key accounts in the nightclub, wine bar and venue bar industries.
In 2004 he started his own online jewellery business under the name Ampalian Ltd. He ran the business successfully until February 2008 when he sold it. Ampalian remains a successful online jewellery store. Malcolm now helps others involved in internet marketing.
In April 2008 Malcolm set off to explore Europe by road on a 3 month trip. It was during his stay at The Hotel Vigniamont in Pézénas that he and Stephanie met.
Malcolm is English and is learning to speak French.
Stephanie
After studying psychology, Stephanie worked for 3 years in human resources as a recruiter. In 2000 she decided to return to studies in order to follow her husband, Jean Cristophe, in owning a vineyard and making fine wines.
After receiving her MBA in the international wine trade from the Montpellier Sup de Co group, she worked for 2 years with the Château d’Or et de Gueules winery in Costières de Nîmes where she assisted wine maker Diane de Puymorin.
In October of 2002 she and her husband acquired a winery in the heart of the Hérault valley, not far from Pézénas, with well maintained vines and a rich terroir of diverse soils and sun exposures.
Domaine du Clos Roca produces wines under the brands à propos , Ecceterra, Idée reçue and Clos Roca (AOC).
In 2007, her husband died in a tractor accident. She is now starting a new life with Malcolm.
Stephanie is French and also speaks fluent English.
