Who said nobody wants to work in the wine industry anymore? France’s top apprentice does!

fter being named Best French Apprentice, Louis Gillot sums up his driving force in a single word: patience. “Making the right diagnosis and learning how to control your anger are essential”. He entered the competition with his friends as a personal challenge: “It boosts your confidence”, he explains. The tests are not only designed to let judges appraise the apprentices’ ability to troubleshoot – they also evaluate method, rigour and stress management capabilities, “much like a workshop foreman”, adds Gillot.

His success is rooted in a supportive working environment, conducive to making progress. At Faupin, the vineyard equipment company in Chassagne-Montrachet where he is employed, Gillot says he benefits from a strong team dynamic: “They don’t just leave us to get on with it. When I run into a problem, my workshop foreman pairs me with an experienced technician instead of letting me struggle on my own”.

Already, Louis Gillot has his sights set on the future. Machinery evolves quickly – there are more on-board electronics, advanced diagnostic systems and increasingly sophisticated tools to help both drivers and technicians identify faults faster and more accurately. “A workshop foreman needs to be trained across-the-board because things change so quickly”, he explains. While he has a deep fondness for classic mechanics, he is far from nostalgic – curious by nature, he is keen to keep pace with new technologies and techniques.

Louis Gillot is clear-eyed about what it takes to succeed: courage, commitment and mentors who play fair: “If things aren’t going well with your boss, you need to talk about it, and if that doesn’t change anything, you should move on. You mustn’t let yourself be discouraged. You need a boss who wants to pass on their craft. It has to be mutually beneficial”.