Malcolm & Stephanie

November 3rd, 2008

Stephanie 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.

About Laroque des Alberes

November 3rd, 2008

Laroqe des Alberes is a town and commune of the Pyrénées-Orientales département. It is part of the Roussillon comarca. The town lies in the foothills of the Pyrénées mountains in southwestern France.

The nearest airports are Perpignan(45 mins) and Girona (70 mins). Alternative airports are Beziers (90 mins) and Carcassonne (90 mins). Flight times are often more civilised into Beziers.

Just a short drive of 10 mins will take you to the sandy beaches of Argeles, 20 mins drive will take you to the French/Spanish border and Barcelona is just 2 hours drive. The nearest village boulangerie is less than ten mins walk, also the village has some lovely restaurants to choose from as well as several bars. In fact everything is on your doorstep even small local shops. There are several large supermarkets nearby, a short drive away.

Distances: Argeles beaches, 10 mins drive. Ceret, 20 mins drive. Carcassone, 90 mins drive. Barcelona, 2 hours drive. Roses (Salvador Dali),60 mins drive. Cadaquez, 90 mins drive. Ski Resorts, around 90 mins drive.

The area enjoys an average of 300 days of sunshine per year. This link shows the current forecast for Perpignan however Laroque itself is sheltered by the mountains and can typically be 1 or 2 degrees warmer than Perpignan. Laroque is both French and Catalan