Proust Q&A: Amaury Devillard

Busy Amaury Devillard is a winemaker, spokesperson for the BIVB, President of the growers association of the village of Mercurey and owns Domaines Devillard along with his sister, Aurore. Together they represent four estates, Château de Chamirey in Mercurey, Domaines des Pedrix in Nuits-Saint-Georges, Domaines des Fertes in Givry and Domaine de la Garenne in Mâcon-Azé which is owned by his family-in-law, the Beaumont family. The Devillards also act as distributors for historic winery, Domaine de Celliers aux Moines in Givry which was founded by Cistercian monks in 1130 and now owned by the Pascal family. Devillard speaks to dbHK about his favourite place in Burgundy and continuing the winemaking legacy from his grandfather, the Marquis de Jouennes d’Escrigny d’Herville.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Quietness and space.

What is your greatest fear? 

Running out of time to achieve of all my projects.

Which living person do you most admire?

My wife who saved my life three times!

What is your greatest extravagance?

When my wife and I left work for two months for a business break in southeast Asia with our three kids in November and December 2014.

What is your current state of mind? 

Life is a real playground.

What is the quality you most like in a woman? 

To be self-organized and composed.

Who or what is the greatest love of your life?

My wife and our beautiful children.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Enjoy life and relish every single minute!

When and where were you happiest?

At Château de Chamirey in Mercurey: it’s such a beautiful place surrounded by vineyards.

Devillard’s beautiful estate, Chateau de Chamirey nestling in Mercurey

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

To be 20 years younger with the same experience in life that I have now!

Which talent would you most like to have?

To be able to feel comfortable with anyone and to be open-minded.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

The family we have created.

Where would you most like to live? 

In Burgundy, in the middle of the vineyards being able to see and feel all the seasons.

What is your most treasured possession?

A bottle of Château of Chamirey Mercurey 1934 – the first vintage bottle at the winery made by my grandfather, the Marquis de Jouennes d’Escrigny d’Herville.

What is your most marked characteristic?

My determination and positive thinking.

Who is your favourite writer?

Stefan Zweig – author of Chess Story, which he wrote while he was in exile in Brazil.

Who is your hero of fiction?

Brett Sinclair in The Persuaders.

What is it that you most dislike?

The cowardice in people.

What is your greatest regret? 

That my mother passed the way before being able to meet our three kids.

What is your motto?

To live happy and live hidden!

Who would be your ideal dinner party guests and what three wines would you serve?
Being able to get a dinner with all my best friends in the middle of the vineyards in summer, feeling the fresh night air and sharing a great slice of life all together.

Favourite wines for this event: Château de Chamirey, Mercurey white 1er Cru, La Mission Monopole 2005; Chateau de Chamirey, Mercurey Red Les Cinq 2009
and Domaine des Perdrix, Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru, Aux Perdrix Quasi-Monopole 1999!