Julien Fort becomes new chairman of Sable de Camargue wines

wo years after it was officially recognised as an appellation, the Sable de Camargue producers’ organisation is welcoming a new leader. After a three-year term, Frédéric Aragon – who completed the PGI’s attainment of appellation status – has decided to focus on his new position as chairman of the Vignobles des Sablons co-operative winery. Producers’ organisations include provisions for trade and producers’ representatives to rotate as chairs: Julien Fort, managing director of Les Grands Domaines du Littoral (Vranken family) therefore takes over as chairman of the young southern French appellation’s organisation.

A trained winemaker and agricultural engineer who graduated in Montpellier, Julien Fort is “a Bordeaux native who has established a reputation as one of the new faces of Mediterranean winegrowing”, says a press release. He is now at the helm of Vranken family estates in Provence and the Camargue, inspired by a vision of wine that is both scientific and sensitive “to make wines true to their terroir whilst also responding to new consumer expectations”, he explains.

He also says that he aims to ensure a seamless transition, continuing his predecessor’s work to bring together the appellation’s winegrowers whilst also strengthening the image of the Camargue wine region and its distinctive identity. Fort also intends to “begin work to incorporate white wines into the appellation”, adds the press statement. Other plans include shaping the future of the Camargue wine region around “a technical, long-lasting and sustainable vision of the vineyards faced with climate change, both in terms of quality and quantity, as well as protecting biodiversity and managing freshwater resources”. Fort was voted one of the world’s one hundred best winemakers by The Drinks Business magazine.