Friday night, during the traditional Gerbaude (the end of harvest dinner) the Palmer team also celebrated Jean Claude LAFITTE, an exceptional vigneron who is now starting his retirement.

Jean Claude began working in the vineyards at Chateau Palmer 15 years ago, but not just as any vigneron!!  We will cherish the memory of his meticulous and delicate work: whenever he repaired a broken wire, he took the time to tie his "special" knot so that the vigneronnes wouldn't be hurt when they passed through to raise the vines; or when he pruned the vines, he caressed each cane in order to check the quality of his cuts.  His entire career here was spent in dedicated service to the Palmer vines.  
As a very committed vigneron, Jean Claude was also the last man on the team, the "red lantern" of the vineyard team!!  So his departure also leaves the vignerons wondering: who will be the last man now?  









But besides these professional qualities, it's Jean Claude himself that we will miss.  Even when times were difficult, he would always say "Bonjour" with a smile and found a way to make us laugh.  He never complained, never even sighed or a showed us that he was tired, despite the heavy workload and the passing years!!  His strong character and his love of life serve as an inspiration to the younger members of the Palmer team!! 


In honor of his devotion to Chateau Palmer, Thomas Duroux dedicated a parcel to be planted next year as: Lafitte's Patch!!  
Everyone here at Chateau Palmer gives him our warmest thanks and best wishes for an excellent and well-deserved retirement!