Pictures from Bertrand Celce's Website. Additional interview there also.
Asahi: Japanese finds heaven in the heart of France
In the heart of France, lies a region called Touraine. Famous for its ancient winemaking tradition, and its immense vineyards, the French call it "the garden of France." It is also home to vigneron (winegrower) Junko Arai. "I have a reputation for being the eccentric Japanese lady who produces wine and drives around on a 1975 tractor," she says, greeting me in the midst of her vines. "At first I was quite the curiosity, but now I'm just part of the landscape... "I am perhaps the first Japanese woman to run an estate in France. There are many Japanese citizens who work in the wine business in France, but I operate independently,"...Indeed, Arai is something of a pioneer...more...
