Anne Parent
After nearly three decades at the helm of Burgundy’s acclaimed Domaine Parent, Anne Parent is preparing to hand the family winery to another generation.
Before she does, she is making a stop in Highlands.
On November 14 at 6:00 P.M., the Pommard winemaker will join Chef Andrew Figel at On The Verandah for a $250-per-person dinner featuring the Burgundies that have earned her an international following.
The menu is still being finalized, but the greater attraction may be Parent herself. Now preparing to retire, she offers guests one of their last opportunities to taste her wines in her company and hear from a woman who has spent her career honoring Burgundy’s traditions while challenging some of its conventions.
Parent arrived at winemaking by an unconventional route. Trained as a lawyer, she taught herself through textbooks and mentorship before earning an oenology diploma from the University of Burgundy. In 1998, when her brother left the family business, Anne and her sister Catherine assumed leadership of Domaine Parent, interrupting a father-to-son succession that had lasted for centuries. Anne took charge of the vineyards and cellar, while Catherine led sales and marketing.
Her confidence is reflected in one of her best-known observations about difficult growing seasons: “There are no bad vintages, just bad winemakers.”
The results support the assertion. Parent farms biodynamically, harvests by hand, and focuses on precision and purity rather than heavy extraction. When renewing vineyards, she often grafts new vines onto existing rootstock instead of replanting entirely, preserving the character and history of the site.
Her influence extends beyond her own winery. Parent has served as vice president of Burgundy’s wine trade bureau and has been a prominent advocate for women in an industry long defined by tradition. She is now helping guide her niece, Constance Fages-Parent, into the business, continuing a family winemaking story that spans 12 generations.
She should find common ground with Figel. A Highlands native, he has led the kitchen at On The Verandah since 1999. The restaurant has been in his family since 1981, making this dinner a gathering of two people whose careers have been shaped by family legacies and a strong sense of place.
For Parent, though, the evening marks something more. As she prepares to step aside and the next generation steps forward, the dinner becomes a celebration of both accomplishment and continuity.
Visit ontheverandah.com to reserve a seat.
Favorites Count: 0