Philippe Blanck, Winegrower at Domaine Paul Blanck, in partnership with my cousin Frederick Blanck as winemaker (Alsace, France)

Years in Industry:
Around 40 years, not including the 20 years prior to that. I grew up with my cousins Blanck and Barthelmé working in the family winery since we could walk and talk. We were the swiss knives of the parents, doing all kinds of job from vineyards, to cellar to sales … After a few years of different diplomas (economics, marketing, viticulture) and various jobs, I came back home in 1984. After my 62 years of life, the Valley of Kaysersberg is still surprising and enchanting especially when I come back from traveling.

I am sharing my passion of nature, geology and wine by developing a tasting method called geo-sensorial tasting. It is based on breathing and relaxation techniques learned through the practice of a traditional Chinese energetic art called Qi Gong.

This technique has been imagined Jean Marc Quarin, a Bordeaux wine writer and human sciences expert, around 30 years ago. The Alsatian University of Strasbourg has developed a master’s degree in Geo sensorial tasting lead by JM Deiss. Julien Camus from the Scholar Wine Guild is now leading and mastering the tasting technique by developing a specific software in his 100 wine schools around the world. And the University of Strasbourg is offering the second edition of its university degree, “Vers le terroir viticole par la dégustation géo-sensorielle,” or "Toward terroir through the geo sensorial tasting.“ Energy (Qi, or vitality) of the wines, soils, and people… all is related.

My Top Three Challenges to Wellness:
Balance in every way: Finding a balance between my passion for my work and my family is challenging. Between outer and inner space, taking deep breaths, relaxing mind and body for at least 10 minutes every hour.

Consciousness in everyday life: This is a daily practice to enter a profound inner space. The challenge is to unfold it throughout the day before been caught by routine. Then bring the attention back.

Practicing virtue: The Chinese Taoist culture is taking great care of the intention and attention in our actions. To be present in every situation occurring during work. Cultivating gratitude is the first step in the morning. This so resonates with our ancestors’ practices of respect for Mother Nature, Seasons, People, God or Gods, Sky, rituals and celebrations in time/space consciousness.

How I Keep It Together to Stay Well:
Practicing a daily routine and sharing Qi Gong with students, customers in the vineyards and elderly persons in retired home, in order to develop a healthy Body/Mind/Spirit connection. With qi gong meditation growing in popularity, you may wonder whether it’s something you should try. (I became a certified Qi Gong teacher in 2018 and advanced in 2021.)

Daily walks and vineyard activities.

What Inspires Me:
Sharing and exploring. When we discover something valuable, something good, something beautiful, something that gives us satisfaction, everyone's natural desire is to share. Sharing is an action of the heart, true food for the soul. Sharing is offering, it is hoping that the other can live or receive the experience of what we consider important. Sharing is bringing color and joy into our lives. It gives sense to our life.

Transmission is allowing others to evolve by giving them respect and allowing them to grow in consciousness. They are the keys to knowing each other. Through transmission, we are happy, we like to receive and we take pleasure in giving. We share with sincerity and with patience what is best for us.

A Quote I Love:
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience but spiritual beings having a human experience.” Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

You can find Philippe online on Instagram, on Facebook, and on the company's website.