For Immediate Release:
Dateline: New York,
NY
Friday, July 7, 2023
Chêne Bleu is a family-owned winery based in France that makes multi-award-winning fine wines without using any chemicals, fertilisers, pesticides or additives. Located in the heart of a UNESCO biosphere forest, it actively nurtures the wild environment and exceptional biodiversity that surrounds its vines. It collaborates with scientists and like-minded pioneers in regenerative agriculture, making it a hub for thought leadership in guiding the fine wine world to a more sustainable Future. We hear from the CEO, Nicole Rolet, on her journey in the wine industry, the qualities of a great leader, the lessons she has learned, and her goals for positive change. Hi Nicole! When did you join Chene Bleu and how long have you been in this role? I’m the Co-Founder, Principal and CEO of Chêne Bleu, our family winery, and La Verriere, the medieval property on the estate that operates as an eco-luxury guest house. 25 years ago, I left my career in international affairs and joined my husband as a sidekick on his passionate quest to restore the abandoned historic vineyard on the estate. We spent 12 years resuscitating the old vines before making our first wine. In the process, I became badly bitten by his wine bug, studied wine, and found my calling. From the get-go we ran it on organic, biodynamic and sustainable principles, long before that was fashionable hashtag. In 2006, we formed Chêne Bleu and launched our first wines a few years later. I took full oversight of the company last year. As the grand-daughter of a fearless Boston suffragette and trailblazing mother, I’ve always felt an obligation to think beyond the boundaries of our company and look for ways to improve the greater ecosystem of fine wine. In addition to my role at Chêne Bleu, I founded the Fine Minds for Fine Wines think tank and co-founded several other organisations, including the Areni Global Institute for the Future of Fine Wine, which I chair. 
What three things do you think make a great leader? Finding a leadership style that matches your authentic personality and builds on your natural superpowers. If you’re a visionary introvert, don’t try to be warm and fuzzy, focus on leading by example and inspiring people. In my case, I love people and collaboration, so my leadership style will be more inclusive, compassionate and team-oriented. Generosity of Spirit. In the end, people only remember what you do for others beyond your obligations. Are you there for them even when you don’t need to be? Do you go the extra mile for them? They will do the same for you. We have the great fortune to be advised by Zelma Long, an inspirational winemaking pioneer who embodies that quality. She is a total icon in our field, with impossibly high standards for herself and others, yet is still so modest and accessible. I worked for David Rockefeller in a think tank, and he was the same – he treated everyone with respect and graciousness. What three things would the people around you say make you a great leader? Willingness to listen. It allows me to know people better and tailor-make my style to their needs. Sometimes it can be a double-edged sword. Some people reward your interest with loyalty, others will take advantage of your kindness, but I wouldn’t change that for anything. Perhaps because of my multicultural background, I believe deeply in diversity and inclusion – as a philosophy of life, but also as a benefit to the work environment and even to the bottom line. I think I’m naturally respectful of different cultures and backgrounds. I believe my team appreciates that I’ve been mindful of creating a supportive diverse environment, even in a rural part of France where that isn’t always the norm. Our company motto is “Non Mihi Non Tibi Sed Nobis” which translates to “Not Mine Not Yours But Ours.” It’s even on our wine label. This may sound idealistic, but it’s been my experience and I’ll stand by it.I like to have fun! We all work really hard, but when I see opportunities for team activities or outings, I like to treat my team, and have a good time. What is the toughest lesson you learnt? Overcoming rejection. I was painfully shy and hyper-sensitive as a child, which I’ve worked hard to overcome. This made me very vulnerable to other’s opinions of me – it also made it harder to take risks, harder to sell, harder to lead. I realised that to build the sales and reputation of Chêne Bleu, I’d have to get people to try the wines. For that, I’d have to bang loudly on pots and pans. One day, I finally mustered up the courage to meet a famous wine importer for some advice. I only had one first wine to show and even so, he proceeded to rip my hopes to shreds and tell me why we would never succeed. It was bruising, but helped me understand I wasn’t going to have the luxury of waiting for validation along the way, I’d have to find the resolve to let criticism roll over me and develop resolve and self-belief. A decade later, I’m completely confident in the quality of my wine and comfortable with any and all opinions of it. That importer has become a big fan of the wines, by the way! And the most rewarding? Learning that to be successful you can be yourself and stay true to your ethics. Many times we are told that to get to the top you have to be ruthless or back-stabbing. That may be true in certain fields or companies, but there are others where that’s not the case – seek and thou shall find! What is the one piece of advice you wish you had been given early on in your career? I’d have taken more risks, sooner. I wasted valuable time doing what I thought I should do, instead of what I wanted to do. Take that year off and work on that fishing boat in Alaska or do that thing that doesn’t make any sense in the financial short-term or as a linear career path. It’ll be so rewarding as an end in itself, but also as a means to an end. You’ll be amazed at how much you’ll be able to integrate the learnings into other professional experiences. Besides, no matter how hard you try, your career is not going to be smooth and linear anyway, so you might as well not delude yourself! What is your immediate focus for creating positive change as a leader for Chêne Bleu? Many people on our team are proud to work for a company that’s deeply committed to sustainability, but now I would like everyone to share the responsibility of bringing more solutions and ideas for sustainable practices to the table, so they feel more committed and follow out of conviction, not obligation. More delegating, educating and listening! And your long-term goals? To do more for others and for the environment. My initial ambition was to fix up the one little piece of earth that was entrusted to us, and leave it better for the next guys. But slowly it escalated into a much broader and more proselytic ambition to help people understand the importance and urgency of sustainable and regenerative agriculture, and the role it can play in saving the planet. It may sound over-ambitious – no one can do everything. But everyone can do something, and at least I will have tried. LEARN MORE ABOUT BUTTERFLY MARK CERTIFIED CHENE BLEU
About Positive Luxury
Since 2011 Positive Luxury has been accelerating organizations' adaptation to the new climate economy, keeping clients ahead of cultural and economic shifts. The company's unique four-part methodology is the only ESG assessment and certification program designed specifically for the luxury industry and incorporates a particular focus on innovation. Visit: www.positiveluxury.com and follow @Positiveluxury
Rejecting the traditional model rating past performance, Positive Luxury provides clients with precise gap analysis and the ability to identify and address current and future sustainability risks and diagnostics. In addition, the Connected Butterfly Mark communication tool also helps them leverage areas of strength and opportunities for competitive advantage.
Companies that meet Positive Luxury's exacting standards for certification are approved for the Butterfly Mark, a globally respected trust mark, independently verified, signaling that companies meet the highest standard of sustainability best practice across ESG+: environmental, social, governance and innovation. With a growing community of nearly 200 luxury companies, Positive Luxury has created a community of brands, retailers, and suppliers taking tangible action – measuring, managing, and reporting their ESG impact.
Diana Verde Nieto, Co-founder, and Co-CEO of Positive Luxury
Diana Verde Nieto is the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Positive Luxury, a pioneer in ESG, and a globally recognized figure in sustainability. Diana holds a degree in Global Leadership & Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School, was trained by Former USA Vice President Al Gore at the Alliance of Climate Protection and was subsequently honored by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader. In addition, Diana sits on various boards, including BA&SH and Grass Roots Soccer, an adolescent health organization that leverages the power of soccer to educate, inspire, and mobilize youth in developing countries.
"Consumers, employees, and the investment community demand transparency and accountability from brands, and our new Connected Butterfly Mark answer to that. From a single source of truth, people can easily access an unparalleled depth of verified ESG+ verified performance data, including a brand's sustainability journey, clearly stating their actions and ambition. This level of disclosure raises the bar for Luxury and beyond." Diana Verde Nieto, Co-Founder, and Co-CEO of Positive Luxury
Amy Nelson-Bennett, Co-CEO
Amy Nelson-Bennett brings 25 years of global experience across business transformation, brand and commercial strategy, and digital commerce and communications gained across media, retail, and luxury goods. Most recently, she led the successful turnaround of Molton Brown as CEO & President and joined the PE-backed Clive Christian Group to modernize the brand and operations and deliver rapid growth. Amy is responsible for the strategic direction of Positive Luxury, brand and commercial strategy, and day-to-day business operations. By championing a new definition of Luxury that aligns with the core principle of Luxury and sustainability, she aims to accelerate the actions of the Luxury industry and the collective positive impact it can make on nature and society.
"Our unique four-part methodology – assessment, certification, trust-building, and future-proofing – ensures every luxury business can continuously improve its ESG performance, realize ROI and optimize sustainability as a driver of corporate value. In addition, the Connected Butterfly Mark certification sets a new public disclosure standard for certified companies and the unique value Positive Luxury provides to luxury brands, retailers, and suppliers." – Amy Nelson-Bennett, Co-CEO of Positive Luxury.
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