Off the Clock: How Sir John Hegarty's Love of Wine Led to a Business Venture

It wasn’t in their plan to become owners of the 54-acre, south-facing vineyard, which bathes in golden sun at the foothills of Montagne Noire, just outside Carcassonne in France. “We live a very urban life here in London and thought maybe we should have a place in the countryside to add balance to our lives,” explained Hegarty.

However, after toying with a few options in the U.K., they were at an impasse. They decided if they were going to travel, it should be with purpose. “So the idea of doing something in the countryside and making a contribution was born.”

From there, a friend introduced the couple to a contact who dealt with vineyards, Hegarty revealed. “Both of us love wine, and we thought this was the answer.” That’s how Hegarty Chamans began.

Fast-forward 20 years, and the vineyard operates on a non-interventionist farming philosophy based on organic and biodynamic principles in line with lunar cycles. “I describe it as: ‘We’re dancing with nature, but she’s calling the tune,'” he mused. “When we vinify, we try and create wines that are both complex and elegant—and, importantly, approachable.”

Hegarty co-founded BBH in the 1980s and is responsible for some of the world’s best-known ads, including Levi’s “Launderette” and “Vorsprung durch Technik” for Audi. He’s still very active in the industry, working as co-founder and creative director of startup accelerator The Garage Soho and teaching a Business of Creativity course. In between, he and Crane visit Chamans around eight times per year, leaving the day-to-day operations in the hands of wine expert Jessica Chardron Servet.

“I think women make better winemakers than men. … They have more sensitive palates and make more elegant wines. [Philippa] and I get involved at the blending stage, sampling the different parcels of wine and deciding on the balance and composition of each release,” he said.

Just like BBH, Chamans’ symbol is the black sheep: an ode to never following the crowd.

What has diving into something new, and fruity, taught Hegarty? Lessons in patience, humility and open-mindedness.

“Nature doesn’t answer emails. You have to respect time and the values that brings,” said Hegarty. “Our wines take time to show themselves, so, again, patience. They come into their own three or four years after harvest. In a world where everyone wants everything yesterday, a vineyard teaches you the opposite.”