On the slopes of the island of Nevis, Frenchwoman Frédérique Connat and her husband Erik have succeeded in producing a rare wine, already recognized and appreciated. A meeting with a determined woman, a physician by profession, who created «the first wine from the Lesser Antilles, and the Caribbean’s first vintage defined by its signature orange style (a skin-contact white wine»." By Agnès…
"On the slopes of the island of Nevis, Frenchwoman Frédérique Connat and her husband Erik have succeeded in producing a rare wine, already recognized and appreciated. A meeting with a determined woman, a physician by profession, who created «the first wine from the Lesser Antilles, and the Caribbean’s first vintage defined by its signature orange style (a skin-contact white wine»."
By Agnès Monlouis-Félicité
Winair - Dr. Connat, what gave you the idea to plant vines in the Caribbean, and above all to make wine from them?
Dr Connat - Coming from Bandol, a region renowned worldwide for its vineyards, I wanted to bring that wine culture with me. My husband and I approached the government of Nevis to adapt several grape varieties to this remarkable island. They were convinced by the boldness and agricultural potential of the project.
Winair - Why Nevis?
DC - Because the island is welcoming, and the people of Nevis are deeply connected to everything related to growing fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants — I should add that I am also a phytotherapist. The island also benefits from abundant water resources and volcanic soil well suited to vine growing.
Winair - When did this adventure begin?
DC - About ten years ago. We first carried out soil analyses in collaboration with a laboratory in France. Then we experimented with four initial grape varieties naturally suited to tropical climates, which we observed over several years. Three years ago, the Minister of Agriculture allowed us to plant a nursery of 1,000 vines from three new varieties, with the support of a winemaker from Languedoc, Philippe Allard, in order to vinify them. Which we did.
Winair - What are the results of the first vinification trials?
DC - They are very promising. The first took place in a wonderful atmosphere thanks to Mark Terron, producer of the “Clifton Estate” rum in Nevis, who lent us his vats. We carried it out in several ways, with or without stems, and at different temperatures, producing a natural white maceration wine, an orange wine, to create a distinctive signature with a sunset hue. This color is unprecedented across the Americas. We work without added yeasts or sulfites, and we grow these vines without pesticides, in line with our commitment. Nevis is an island that strives to protect its land from chemical products, which is also our philosophy.
Winair - What was the outcome of the first tasting, held last year in St. Barth to attract investors?
DC - An exceptional color and a pleasant taste, all connoisseurs were convinced. We presented our two most successful vinifications. There is still room for improvement. Our ambition is to join the global organization of volcanic wines, VINORA, which is already present in Greece, Italy, the Azores, and the Canary Islands, and is welcoming us with great enthusiasm.
Winair - What is the future of the project?
DC - The company “River of Nevis” was founded to develop tropical viticulture and wine tourism in the Caribbean. We are also considering creating a wine school and welcoming visitors to the estate to discover unique wines, along with a touch of Franco- Nevisian cuisine. Recently, we were visited by Her Excellency the Ambassador of the European Union, who showed strong interest in our potential.
Winair - A final word?
DC - Yes! Thank you to the people of Nevis, who are wonderful, inspired by nature, and whose support is invaluable. We want to continue this adventure with them. Our partner in viticulture is now a Nevisian, with whom we plan to develop many exciting projects, including in the field of medicinal plants. We have many ideas! We also thank our benefactors, such as Mr. Blanchard
VILLAS IN THE VINEYARD
Alongside the winemaking project, and conceived within an integrated approach, a villa development has emerged. Its concept is distinctive, with the creation of high-end, tailor-made villas set among the vines. The project is led by the WIA ARCHITECTURE agency, represented by Céline Dherbomez, an architect based in Saint Martin and passionate about Nevis. It is already attracting an international clientele with a strong interest in wine culture, also seeking a place of refuge somewhere on the planet.
