Domaine du Closel: Michèle Bazin de Jessey
Not for the first time the proprietors died without issue, and in this instance the property was passed to a niece, Michèle Bazin de Jessey. She was the offspring of Bernard Pellissier de Féligonde and Madeleine de Las Cases, the latter being an elder sister of Marque de Las Cases. This branch of the family had settled upriver, in the old province of Bourbonnais, which corresponds to the modern-day départements of Allier and Cher. At the time this was a region better known for agriculture and the rearing of Charolais cattle than for vineyards. After she married Jacques Bazin de Jessey they settled in Paris, and she carved out a career in education.
One day, much to their surprise her mother’s sister Marque invited Jacques and Michèle to take over the running of the domaine. They accepted, but as Jacques continued with his career in industry much of the work fell to Michèle. This was a difficult task for one individual to take on, especially one with such limited experience. In these early years she was helped by Jean-Claude Lépine, who subsequently took on the post of vineyard manager at Château Léoville-Poyferré. She worked tirelessly to make the very best wines she could, her inspirations at the time François Roussier of Clos de Coulaine, a vineyard today worked by Claude Papin, and Jean Baumard of Domaine des Baumard. There was also recognition for Bernard Closel as it seems it was Michèle Bazin de Jessey who instituted the alternative name of Domaine du Closel alongside Château des Vaults, as she felt that his work for the town as mayor, and of course in developing the Savennières appellation, warranted appropriate commemoration.
