Petit Ciel

About

Petit Ciel produces wines that you need to take to your next dinner party. Why? So you can show off of course?! Petit Ciel means ‘little heaven’ in French. Their balloon logo is a tribute to the flying winemakers of the world, who are traveling in a quest to discover new cultures and winemaking techniques – a journey Leo began a long time ago. It also represents Leo’s desire to “fly the Petit Ciel Wine balloon” and make wine in Baja, Mexico and Priorat, as these are places that have captured his heart and imagination. 

Leo tells us his story… 

“I studied a Bachelor’s in agronomy in Mexico, and during that time I was fortunate enough to get in touch with the wine industry. On a student trip to Portugal, getting to know a little bit about the Portuguese wine industry, I realised I wanted to dedicate myself to make something that would make people feel good. Something that made them happy.

Once I finished my bachelor’s degree, I wanted to focus on winemaking studies but there are no winemaking courses in Mexican universities. So I was going to have to study abroad, and for that, I had to work for a few years to save some money to pay for my winemaking degree. I worked in different parts of the world for a vegetable seed company until I was able to save enough money to go to the University of Adelaide, to do a Masters Degree in Oenology.

And that’s how my adventure in winemaking started. It has been an adventure that has allowed me to work around the world, always learning about winemaking in all these different places. I’ve made wine in Australia, Campo de Borja, and Rioja in Spain; China; Parras and Baja in Mexico, and Marlborough in New Zealand. I started coming to New Zealand for Vintage in 2010, until I got an offer for a permanent job in 2013. I’ve been here since then, living with my partner and our 6YO daughter. My dream was always to make my own wine, and that’s how Petit Ciel was born”.