Yannick Champ

Since 2010, Yannick Champ is the co-director of the Domaine Prieuré Roch. Originally from Paris, he met Henry Frédéric Roch in 2002 and left the Faculty of medicine to become “vigneron” (wine maker). He did Masters in Vineyard studies in Dijon while Henry taught him his art of culture and natural vinification. Today he represents, with Henry, the spirit and the fame of the Domaine Prieuré Roch.

Originally I’m from Paris,

I lived there from birth,
until I was 22.

Nothing destined me for wine,
except for a meeting with Marc Sibard.

He was from the Augé Cellars.

He was my wine merchant in Paris.

He introduced me
to organic wines in general.

Being fed up with my studies
from the first year of medical school,

I wanted to see
what it was like to make wine.

So I asked Marc Sibard…

for the name of a wine-maker
whom I might go and visit.

It was to see if it might be
a possible career change for me.

He sent me to Henri Roch.

I learned two years later,

that Henri had vetoed
the idea that I even come.

I was not personally targeted
but he was tired of having trainees.

So I met Henri for a two week course,
and I’ve never actually left since.

I left Paris however,

started professional studies
in viticulture/oenology, in Tours,

then I moved closer to here
to learn and work on vinification.

I worked anytime I had any free time.

So I went to the University of Dijon,
and obtained my degrees there.

I did my Masters in vineyard studies,
instead of specializing in oenology.

That was because the vineyard
is where a lot can be changed…

So Henri hired me just out of school
as manager of the cellar.

That was in 2005.

In 2008,

I became the domain’s manager.

Now since 2010, I’ve been co-director
of the domain, along with Henri.