Translated Forbes interview - English
Interview by
Forbes France, Published Monday 26th January 2026
Paradise Rescued : “I am probably the only Bordeaux winemaker in Melbourne”
Nestled in the heart of the Bordeaux countryside, the family-run micro-vineyard Paradise Rescued combines soil regeneration, organic artisanal expertise, and winemaking excellence to bring its aromas from southwest France to Australia - a distant country of which Paradise Rescued's founder and owner, David Stannard, is a citizen.
Can you tell us more about the philosophy of your certified organic Bordeaux micro-vineyard?
Our Paradise Rescued vineyard is located in the heart of a small French village, Cardan, in the Gironde region of the Bordeaux countryside. It is founded on three key elements: our Mission, our Vision, and our Passion.
The story began when the land next to our family's country house was put up for sale. This posed a risk of destroying the vines to make way for urban development projects. We decided to buy back this land, overlooked by a 12th-century church, in order to continue cultivating it.
Your goal today is to create high-quality organic wines while preserving the land of this terroir in Southwest France?
Our mission as organic winemakers is indeed to maintain the rural heritage and winemaking culture of this quintessentially French and Bordeaux region, by producing a very high-quality, artisanal micro-cuvée wine.
From the outset, was the choice to create an organic vineyard system a natural one?
The original land wasn't in very good condition, but we decided to embark on the organic journey from the very beginning, tending our vines by hand. Combined with a reduction in heavy machinery, this approach allowed us to gradually improve the soil quality, enabling nature to regain its full strength and splendour.
With just a little attention, manual intervention, and a reduction in heavy machinery, we quickly achieve excellent results and produce superb wines. This is our passion.
How would you summarise the values of your Bordeaux vineyard?
Beyond quality and excellence, we work daily to improve our vineyard and our wines through continuous innovation. Open-mindedness, resilience, and a commitment to sustainable development are also key aspects of our work. Our values are an important part of our vision.
This approach has also allowed you to quickly win awards in major international competitions?
Indeed, it has allowed our small vineyard, in just a few years, to achieve a very high quality of organic wine, recognized by international gold medals. Which was a very pleasant surprise!
How would you describe your red wines today?
We want nature to do its utmost, allowing our organic red wine to have a fruitier, more refined, and pronounced flavour. It can be enjoyed young or cellared for the long term. In the winery, we also minimize mechanical intervention to preserve these wonderful flavours.
Depending on the year and weather conditions, the vintages may vary, but this fruitiness is always present. This is what distinguishes conventional wines from organic wines: our wines always remain vibrant and aromatic!
We currently produce two types of wine, including B1ockOne, a 100% Cabernet Franc grown on a half-hectare plot in the heart of our hamlet, with nearly 1,000 Cabernet Franc vines.
Our second wine, BlockTwo, is composed of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc: it's a typical Bordeaux wine, in the Saint-Émilion style. We are also working on two other wines, which are currently in development.
Does the fact that you're originally from Australia make it easier for you to export this French craftsmanship internationally?
Indeed, we live part of the year in Australia and part of the year in France. This allows us to create connections to export this winemaking expertise, while also mastering the English language and understanding the tastes of our fellow Australians. I'm probably the only Bordeaux winemaker in Melbourne.
Australians also have a greater affinity for Cabernet Franc. This fruity wine, with its distinctive aromas, beautiful length on the palate, freshness, and natural acidity, is gaining more and more fans every year. It's definitely a wine of the future! We also sell our organic Merlot red wine in Australia.
Our mission is therefore to produce a very high-quality French Bordeaux red wine, to export it, and to make it known around the world.
For more information on the philosophy and organic production of the vineyard, visit the Paradise Rescued website or Instagram page.
Forbes France, Published Monday 26th January 2026