Why WALDEN?
A tribute to Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau (1817-1862), American poet and philosopher, was a determined non-conformist. After having lived alone in the wild forests of Massachusetts, in a cabin near a pond, Thoreau published «Walden» in 1854, an account of his experience. Monitoring the seasons, the rivers, the animals, the earth and the plants, he explains in a straight forward way the joy of a contemplative life in harmony with nature and the simple but intense emotions it provoked.
Environmentalist, and thus pioneer of ecology, self-sufficiency and fair-trade, his writings encourage following one's own conscience, praising the force of intuition, affirming the right of an individual to oppose the state when one believes it is in the wrong. His best known work «Civil Disobedience» preaches the right of a person to reflect on the dictates of modern society and, if judged necessary, to oppose it with non-violent resistance. He inspired Tolstoy, Gandhi, and Martin Luther-King.
Living every day in all sorts of weather in the heart of a wild nature, sometimes brutal, never boring, we, partner-wine-makers in this innovative project, share a number of values which Thoreau defended throughout his life. A little "outside of the world", in the heart of a miraculously preserved nature, in tuned with our environment, listening to insects, the wind, feeling the sun and the clouds, working with our hands, we simply try to produce mature and healthy grapes, capturing the fruit, the sparkle, and their richness and then try to express it though the brilliance of a vintage.
February 2005. Standing in front of Thoreau's cabin,
next the frozen Walden pond , a joyous emotion fills me...