Loire. A figure of the Côte Roannaise and viticulture, Robert Sérol has passed away.

The Sérol estate announced this Saturday, September 13, the death of its founder, Robert Sérol, a figure of the Roanne coast and of viticulture.

Born in 1940, Robert Sérol died on Friday, September 12, at the age of 85, as the harvest of the historic plots of the estate was being completed in the Estinaudes area, at the foot of the estate.

Born in 1940, Robert Sérol took over the family farm in Renaison in 1964. At the time, mixed farming and cattle breeding were practiced alongside two hectares of vines. At that time, the wines of the Côte Roannaise were known as thirst-quenching wines and were poorly valued.

Robert Sérol, convinced of the potential of his Roanne hillsides, committed himself to improving the quality of his wines, bringing with him a group of ambitious winemakers. A unifying force, persistent and passionate, he began a qualitative approach in the 1970s, supported by experienced technicians.

He then bottles his own wines, which he offers to the finest restaurants in Roanne. His wines are served at Troisgros, Jacques Cœur, and even at Castel in Paris.

Over the years, accompanied by his wife Marie-Thérèse and his three sons , he planted new plots and became a key player in the official recognition of the AOC Côte Roannaise, obtained in 1994, after a VDQS classification phase. Thanks to his commitment, but also to the support of his friend Pierre Troisgros, three-star chef, this AOC will be a "tremendous lift" and "certainly the best day of his professional life".

Always close to the vines and the winery, Robert Sérol passed the torch to his son Stéphane in 1996. He passed away on September 12, after the harvest had been underway for a week.

The 2025 vintage will be dedicated to him.