Sarah Imbert, from New York to Lecci: the journey of a lifetime
Sarah Imbert, da New York a Lecci, u viaghju d'una vita.
Sarah Imbert, a history graduate, now writes her own at the renowned Domaine de Torraccia, in Lecci de Porto-Vecchio.
The adventure began in 1993, when she followed Marc Imbert to Corsica. She was 23, he 25. They met in New York. One evening, their eyes met... and they never left each other's side. When Marc asked her to come to Corsica, she replied in her American accent: "Why not?
It's not an easy adjustment for Sarah, who has a poor command of French. But her energy, her "tomboy" side and her curiosity soon made her progress.
She always speaks with admiration of her father-in-law, Christian Imbert, a recognized pioneer and "father of modern Corsican wine", and the monumental work he has accomplished over the decades.
Sarah describes herself as a "multitasker", managing social networks as well as exports and tastings. Her days are never the same, but what they have in common is enthusiasm, punctuated by countless "My God!"
"Here I feel I belong, I'm doing something I believe in". Her role fully resonates with her values: respect, transmission and environmental sensitivity.
Come and meet her at the estate for a tour of her cellar: she'll be delighted to share with you the story of this Corsican vineyard and its fine, balanced and energetic wines... just like her.
1. Origins and arrival in Corsica
- Where exactly are you from in the United States, and how would you describe the place where you grew up? I was born in Dobbs Ferry, a small, upscale suburb of New York. Then I went to a Quaker school in New York and graduated with a degree in history. I was then destined to train in environmental law.
- What was your very first contact with Corsica? Do you have any strong memories? I arrived at the end of summer and everything was dry and sunburnt. I asked myself: where are the colors in this country?
- Did you feel welcomed right away, or was it a long road? The first year was difficult: I didn't speak French very well, so I didn't understand everything... but today I'm laughing!
2. Meeting the estate and the Imbert family
- What was your first memory of Domaine de Torraccia? Marc and his father Christian took me on a tour of Corsica, introducing me to everyone as "Marc's fiancée", and every time we stopped, people's faces lit up.
- What was it about this life that appealed to you? A lot of things, but above all the small talk, because I too was brought up in a village where these moments count for a lot.
3. Your current role at the estate
- What do you enjoy doing the most? I love feeding my chickens! It used to be an adventure for me, but now it's a ritual that soothes me.
- What perhaps sets you apart from your American culture in the way you manage or interact here? Here, it's all about the detail, the subtle, nuanced detail. This is not the case in the United States, where the emphasis is often on efficiency and directness; Corsica has taught me to listen to nuances.
4. His vision of wine, place and transmission
- Which wine do you prefer? I shouldn't say ... but I love drinking a nice pool of rosé.
- What would you like to pass on to those who meet you here? I invite all visitors to respect the way things are done and, above all, to respect the people here.
- How do you see your future in Torraccia? I still have so many things to do: perfect my social networking, take photography courses, and even learn to sew.
5. Intimacy, emotions, originality
- What's the cliché about Americans or Corsicans? Corsicans immediately think of American junk food, and they're right! As for Americans, they don't know Corsica, but they do know Napoleon, a symbol of inordinate ambition and the will to power.
- What Corsican word do you particularly like? I love the first names Xavier and Lezia. I also like the expressions Comu sé? Va bè! - How are you? Ça va!" - and, above all, I can't hold back my tears when I listen to Dio vi salvi Regina, a Corsican song considered a true national anthem.
- And if you could talk to "you" from the past, the moment you said "yes" to this life... what would you say to her? You were right to swap the suit and heels for shorts and sneakers! Your life is beautiful!