Robert Dougan, once a successful musician, made the unconventional decision to acquire a vineyard, La Pèira, in Languedoc with his wife Karine Ahton in 2004. His journey from Melbourne to owning a wine estate reflects both his passion for creative pursuits and a desire to embark on something as "non-sensible" as winemaking.
Dougan recounts his past with honesty, admitting to feeling like a failure in various aspects of his life—academics, music, and now winemaking. He needed a challenge, something to break free of the conventional expectations he had been surrounded by. “I felt the trap of marriage closing,” he says, expressing the deep need for exploration and risk. This drive led him to the decision to purchase La Pèira, a significant shift from his previous life in the music industry, where he scored music for films like The Matrix.
The journey to winemaking began not with an instant pursuit of grapes, but with a slow exploration of the Languedoc region. Dougan’s connection to this place grew as he drank in local bars and deepened his understanding of its wine culture. La Pèira is rooted in a region known for being one of France’s oldest viticultural areas, but Dougan sees it unjustly overlooked and underrated.
His approach to winemaking exemplifies a blend of art and science. At La Pèira, which translates to “stone” in Occitan, the vineyard encompasses rocky, infertile soil, producing wines that emphasize complexity over mere ripeness. With a relatively small production—varying across both red and white wines—Dougan strives to craft wines that are expressive and detailed. Despite financial hardships in the early years, Dougan remarks on the importance of staying true to the craft without compromising on quality.
He reflects on this journey, humorously noting that he’s failed at many things in life. Yet, it’s this very failure that allows him to approach winemaking with a sense of experimentation and a willingness to embrace the unpredictability of both music and wine. “I’m an accidental musician, and also an accidental owner of a winery,” Dougan states, illustrating the intertwining of his creative pursuits and the profound experiences that shape his wine.
Ultimately, Dougan’s story is one of passion, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of beauty—whether through music or in a glass of wine. As he continues to navigate the challenges of winemaking, he celebrates the serendipity that often accompanies an unconventional path. The wines of La Pèira, born from this high-risk venture, have emerged as a testament to his journey, rich with history, complexity, and a nuanced understanding of what it means to pursue a passion.