Critics have done the wine industry a lot of good overall.

We want to raise the art of living well.

Even more importantly, it's wine, food and the arts. Incorporating those three enhances the quality of life.

I say to consumers: instead of relying totally on critics, drink what you like and like what you drink.

In both life and work, stay flexible. Whether in a country, a company, or a family, the same holds true: Dictatorship and rigidity rarely work. Freedom and elasticity do.

It is giving me a great satisfaction, because I had the notion that we could make great wines equal to the greatest wines in the world, and everybody said it was impossible.

Wine to me is passion. It's family and friends. It's warmth of heart and generosity of spirit.