Caroline Patte, communications officer, as recounted by Stéphane Ebel.
19 June 2020
A Profession, A Passion!
Communicating is a profession. A profession that can become a passion when the content aligns perfectly with the medium—or vice versa. Caroline Patte works within the communications department of the Charlois Group. Let’s meet her.
Tuesday, May 12, Bordeaux, the second day of the first phase of “deconfinement”… At the Charlois Group offices, remote work remains in place. For now, Caroline will return to the office one day a week, with the rest of her work done from home.
“Maintaining the rhythm no matter what, re-scheduling events, reorganizing trade shows and visits… I work a lot on the event planning side and contribute to promoting the group both in France and internationally,” she explains.
When Caroline talks about the group she works for, she doesn’t hold back. “I am incredibly proud to work for the Charlois Group. It’s an extraordinary, family-run group,” she says. Originally from Lille, Caroline studied at Sup de Co Amiens and spent a year abroad for an internship. Then, she returned to France. “With my partner, we decided it was time for a change. Amiens is a small city, and we needed something different—not necessarily bigger, but different,” she explains. Together, they drew a line across a map south of the Loire River. “The first one to find a job would take the other along,” she recalls. It ended up being the Southwest, after her partner landed a job first. “We settled in the countryside between Bordeaux and Libourne, and then I started looking for work.” A brief stint in a bank convinced Caroline about her professional aspirations. In 2000, Tonnellerie Saury (acquired by the Charlois Group in 2009) was hiring a sales assistant. Caroline applied and got the job. “What convinced me was when they told me I’d quickly be involved in communication. That was my thing, even though I didn’t know much about wine at the time,” she admits.
Head of Communications at Saury
Caroline quickly took the reins of communications for Tonnellerie Saury, diving into a fascinating new world full of pleasant surprises and meaningful encounters. “Twenty years later, no two days are the same. In a group like Charlois, where something is always happening, working in communications is pure joy. There is so much to showcase: an ancestral craftsmanship rooted in family tradition, the group’s modernity, its diversity, its mastery of trades—from the forest to the production of barrels for aging the finest wines. And then, there’s Murlin, this village at the heart of the Bertranges forest where it all began. It’s simply magnificent!”
And Caroline knows what she’s talking about. She visited the Charlois headquarters for the first time in 2009. “I was so impressed,” she recalls. “You don’t expect to find something like this here. It perfectly embodies the image of the group: modern and straightforward, with a family spirit that stands as the foundation of its values.”».
Blown Away by Murlin
Between trade shows and conferences, Caroline takes charge of implementing the communication strategy set by the group, which suits her perfectly. “My work also focuses on the field, handling operational tasks, particularly in collaboration with the group’s sales teams. While the Charlois Group is now well-known, the goal is to promote the quality of our products, the way we work, and our mastery of oak—from the raw material to oenological products, and of course, to cooperage. This is something truly unique in the wine world today.” It’s a profession for passionate people, and Caroline has mastered its nuances. “I’ve been immersed in the world of wine, vineyards, and cooperage for nearly 20 years. I’ve learned to discover it, appreciate it, and, of course, love good wine!” she says with enthusiasm.
Three Questions for Caroline Patte:
How would you define the Charlois Group?
In a single word: unique! This group champions human and environmental values that are important to me. When you look back at its history and see where and how it all began, it’s incredible. A modern and straightforward group that has grown rapidly while staying true to its roots.
What elements do you highlight?
There are so many aspects, and the activity is so diverse that it’s hard to single out just one element to highlight. However, what I can tell you is that when I bring clients or prospects to Murlin, they are won over. Our clients feel reassured about working with us, and most of our prospects become loyal advocates of our products.
And on a more personal level?
know I repeat myself, but I love to say it: I’m proud to work for Charlois. At one point in my career, I wanted to work independently, still in communications. I took a four-year break between Saury and the Charlois Group, during which I continued working for the group as a freelancer. When Claude Jouot, the group’s communications director, approached me to rejoin the team, I didn’t hesitate for long
Photo © Stéphane Ebel
