Jean Yves Ferrer at Boerne Wine Company

Nestled neatly at the Southern entrance to the Texas Hill Country, sits a little town reminiscent of a Norman Rockwell painting with Texas flavor. It’s Main Street is filled with delightful shops and cafés that are frequented by both the local population as well as the many visitors that venture north on I-10 for a relaxing afternoon in this picturesque setting. It is an escape from the city and and oasis away from the stress of traffic and deadlines of everyday life. They call this place Boerne, Texas.

The Boerne Wine Shop is one of the special treasures found in this peaceful town. It’s inviting front porch sits right on Main Street and welcomes visitors with inviting rocking chairs. Once in the door, patrons have 32 different wines available for them to sample or enjoy by the glass or bottle.The atmosphere is comfortable and social around the bar. There is a quiet nook of tables near a fireplace and a most delightful courtyard at the back of the establishment. The courtyard is complete a Hill Country ambiance and wind chimes that lull one into an almost hypnotic comfort zone.

The Boerne Wine Company offers its clients an unmatched opportunity to try many different styles, varietals and regions.The man who manages this wine lovers paradise is Jean Yves Ferrer. I had the opportunity to sit down with Jean Yves and discuss his experiences and opinion on wines.

Born and raised in the South of France, Jean Yves’ first position in the wine industry was that of maitre d’ at a private club in Paris. One day André Malraux visited his club - Mr. Malraux had recently been appointed the first Minister of Cultural Affairs by then President Charles de Gaulle. Jean Yves was introduced to Bordeaux through André Malraux. They travelled there many times together and Mr. Malraux introduced Jean Yves to the people of Bordeaux. It was Chateau Pichon-Longueville that caught Jean Yves’ attention in Bordeaux. It was here his passion for wine began to develop. Over his years in the industry he developed a particular liking for Chablis, Chateau Beaucastle Chateauneuf-du-Pape as well as Bordeaux.

In France, that have a concept called terroir. There is no english translation for terroir, so I enjoy learning about different people’s perspective of terroir to get a better understanding of it myself. When asked to explain the concept of terroir from his perspective he responded:

“Terroir is a specific location, land location with vine, a vineyard, that vineyard has soil, the soil gives to the grape the minerality and flavors on the skin. When you start the fermentation, the taste is specific to this vineyard and this one only. Because in certain vineyards you have veins of clay of sand that give to the grape.”

This is why Petrus (which cost $45 a bottle when he first purchased it) is Petrus and even if a wine is produced close to the vineyard it will not taste the same. The same is true of any viticultural area in any country of in the world.

In 1970 he moved from France to Mexico. It took only ten years to obtain a license to import wines. He started importing wines into Mexico in 1982. His wine import business is still in operation there thought he no longer is involved in the operation. He came to Texas to start a business in essential oils, another passion of Jean Yves. Four years later he received a phone call that put him on the path to managing the Boerne Wine Shop.

Jean Yves’ opinions and attitudes towards wines is demonstrated in the wine selection at his shop. A look through the selection reveals a collection of wines that are very well made and by producers that respect the earth and a variety of terroir. Jean Yves prefers the organic or Biodymanic production of wine to what we now call “traditional” methods. Even though it isn’t always noted on the labels, most wine, today, is made in a sustainable manner. The wines at the Borene Wine Company are all well produced wines, without the addition of chemicals or other tricks some winemakers use to hide the flaws. Here, only the best wines make the cut. Try the Boerne Wine Company and try it often as the selection changes regularly.

CHEERS!