⏱ 1 min read
The Short Version
Pauline Nadal trades the ceramicist's wheel for the vineyard, applying a fine arts sensibility to her family’s sixth-generation Roussillon estate. By blending tactile precision with organic farming, she transforms historic vines into highly textured, award-winning wines that defy traditional masculine winemaking norms.
In This Article
Pauline Nadal views winemaking through the lens of a ceramicist. After training in fine arts at London’s Central St Martins, she returned to her family’s sixth-generation estate in the Roussillon to apply a tactile, creative sensibility to production. Navigating what she describes as a traditionally masculine field, Pauline has carved out her own agency—even successfully spearheading a complete rebranding of the estate’s labels. As a ceramicist, she worked with her hands, and as a winemaker ‘I work with my hands,’ she says.
As a ceramicist, she worked with her hands, and as a winemaker ‘I work with my hands,’ she says.
A legacy of organic precision
The Hainault family has held this land since 1826, an estate that once served as a monastery before the French Revolution. Today, the operation balances hospitality—hosting weddings from March through November—with its 27 hectares of organically farmed vines. The portfolio utilizes ten different varieties, including a centenarian plot of Carignan, producing everything from the crisp, primary 3 Sources Macabeu 2024 (90/100) to deeply textured reds.
Complexity from vine to bottle
The estate’s technical range highlights both purity and texture. The 1900 Centenaire Carignan 2023 stands out for its unoaked, stony edge and supple black cherry fruit (91/100), while the Syrah Sans Sulfites Ajoutés 2024 offers a plump, rounded profile at 92/100. For those seeking something more profound, the Signum 2020 is a standout; made primarily from Syrah using vinification integrale and basket pressing, it delivers concentrated black pepper and iodine with remarkable brightness (94/100). From the spicy, oak-influenced Marie 2024 Chardonnay to the wild, herb-driven Hydre de Lac 2019, these wines showcase a producer finding peace through craft.
Do you find that a winemaker’s background in other creative disciplines changes how you perceive the character of their wine?
Questions & Answers
How does Pauline Nadal's background in fine arts influence her winemaking?
Pauline Nadal applies a tactile and creative sensibility to winemaking by viewing the process through the lens of a ceramicist. Having trained in fine arts at London’s Central St Martins, she brings an artistic precision to her sixth-generation family estate in Roussillon. This background allows her to approach production with a hands-on, craft-oriented perspective. Beyond the cellar, she has also utilized her creative agency to successfully spearhead a complete rebranding of the estate's labels.
What varieties of grapes are grown at Château Nadal Hainaut?
Château Nadal Hainaut utilizes ten different grape varieties across its 27 hectares of organically farmed vines. The estate produces a diverse portfolio ranging from crisp white wines to deeply textured reds. Notable examples include the Macabeu used in the 3 Sources wine and the Carignan sourced from a centenarian plot. Additionally, the winery produces Syrah and Chardonnay, showcasing a wide breadth of flavors and textures through various specialized vinification methods.
Why is the Signum 2020 considered a standout wine from the estate?
The Signum 2020 is a standout wine because it delivers concentrated black pepper and iodine notes with remarkable brightness. This specific wine is made primarily from Syrah and utilizes specialized techniques such as vinification integrale and basket pressing. These meticulous methods contribute to its profound character and high quality, earning it a notable score of 94/100. It represents the estate's ability to produce complex, high-performing wines through careful craft.
What is the history and current operation of the Hainault family estate?
The Hainault family has managed this land since 1826, occupying an estate that originally served as a monastery before the French Revolution. Today, the property operates as a dual-purpose estate that balances hospitality with organic viticulture. In addition to managing 27 hectares of vines, the estate hosts various events such as weddings from March through November. This combination of agricultural production and hospitality defines the modern character of the historic Roussillon estate.
Originally reported by Wine Anorak.
