Full disclosure: My cousin Tom is married to Monique Bonnet, the founder of Chateau Suau.
Monique is one of the few successful woman leaders working in wine in Bordeaux. She has been running the family vineyard since the 1980’s.
Around 2007, she noticed her workers were developing rashes, runny eyes, and other symptoms. After a few conversations she learned they were impacted by the pesticides that treat the grapes. Most vineyards still use toxic pesticides today. She said, “That’s it. We are going organic.” At a huge cost, they lost almost three years of production to convert their more than 150 acres into an organic vineyard.
It’s paid off. They have a healthy farm, a better tasting wine, healthier employees and customers, and as a mother and grandmother, has created a more sustainable business for future generations.
What is so rare in leaders like Monique is that she put people, community and the environment before profit.
Monique inspires us on how critical it is to live life with a core set of values that guide your actions on how to build the community you want to live in.
To learn more about Chateau Suau: https://chateausuau.com/en/