Aline Baly Chateau Coutet in Barsac
Chateau Coutet: Modern History
Recently I caught up with Aline Baly at this year’s ‘Welcome Party’ for International Journalists in Bordeaux, France – the party that kicks off En Primeur Week.
The gorgeous room at the party’s location, Chateau Leoville Poyferre, was filled with Bordeaux’s finest producers. Aline looked great and was full of exciting news about her chateau and this vintage. Here’s a quick introduction to Chateau Coutet and Aline’s place in it.
The Family Legacy
Aline is half-American, born in France but raised in the States. Her family’s story started in the 1970s when her French grandfather from the Alsace region visited Bordeaux. A friend introduced him to the gorgeous Chateau Coutet, then for sale. When that friend teased Aline’s grandfather that he could never manage a 1st cru classified growth, her grandfather bought Chateau Coutet to make good on the bet.
This happened in 1977.
The first few years were challenging. Yet Aline’s father and uncle worked side by side with the staff to manage and improve Chateau Coutet.
Chateau Coutet: Modern History
Recently I caught up with Aline Baly at this year’s ‘Welcome Party’ for International Journalists in Bordeaux, France – the party that kicks off En Primeur Week.
The gorgeous room at the party’s location, Chateau Leoville Poyferre, was filled with Bordeaux’s finest producers. Aline looked great and was full of exciting news about her chateau and this vintage. Here’s a quick introduction to Chateau Coutet and Aline’s place in it.
The Family Legacy
Aline is half-American, born in France but raised in the States. Her family’s story started in the 1970s when her French grandfather from the Alsace region visited Bordeaux. A friend introduced him to the gorgeous Chateau Coutet, then for sale. When that friend teased Aline’s grandfather that he could never manage a 1st cru classified growth, her grandfather bought Chateau Coutet to make good on the bet.
Aline's Journey
Aline’s Journey
Aline majored in economics and international relations. She started her career in the bioscience pharmaceutical industry. Her desire to pursue an MBA led her to the Kellogg School of Management.
The pivotal moment responsible for her decision to be a co-owner of Chateau Coutet occurred when she translated her uncle’s French to English during a winery event in England. As she shared her family’s stories and Chateau Coutet’s history, she realized she wanted to become part of the chateau’s future. Before joining Coutet as co-owner, she performed an internship in a classified growth then joined Chateau Coutet full-time in 2008.
Innovations at Chateau Coutet
One of Aline’s early achievements at Chateau Coutet was to bring social media to the chateau. She started applying Twitter and Facebook early on, recognizing the value of these platforms for communicating and engaging with people.
Today, social media continues to be an essential tool for Chateau Coutet to connect with wine lovers worldwide.
Another significant milestone was the launch of Opalie, a limited-production dry white wine showcasing Chateau Coutet’s unique terroir in Barsac. Aline and her uncle worked closely with their technical partners to develop a wine that would represent the vivacity of Chateau Coutet’s clay and limestone terroir.
The name “Opalie” was chosen to represent the freshness and acidity that cuts through the sweetness, like a knife (“coutet” in French). The label design for Opalie was a challenge, requiring market testing, strategy, and a talented designer to create a visual representation of the wine’s elegance and uniqueness.
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Spreading the Love for Sauternes and Barsac
Aline has been instrumental in promoting the wines of Sauternes and Barsac, particularly in Asia, where she has witnessed increasing popularity and interest in pairing these wines with savory foods. She actively participates in tastings and wine dinners to educate and inspire people to explore the versatility of these golden wines beyond traditional dessert pairings.
In the United States, Aline enjoys meeting first-time tasters and engaging with those who compare their experiences with different vintages. Her passion for sharing the stories and wines of Chateau Coutet is evident in her dedication to hosting events and introducing new people to the joys of Sauternes and Barsac.
The Future of Chateau Coutet
Looking ahead, Aline and her team have exciting plans for Chateau Coutet. They are continuously working to improve quality in the vineyard and the cellar while spreading the word about the exceptional wines being made at their historic chateau in Barsac. Aline firmly believes that the region has tremendous potential for growth and success, and is committed to sharing the next chapter of Chateau Coutet’s story with the world.
