When he isn’t traveling the world directing and producing films, or running his advertising agency, you will likely find Sir Ridley Scott in France, at Mas des Infermières, the Provence estate he purchased in 1992. What began as an idyllic country escape from his primary London residence has become the site of his growing wine venture, with about 75 acres of vines used to craft a range of whites, rosés and reds. The wines arrived in the U.S. for the first time this past spring. With the construction of Mas des Infermières’ own on-site cellar in 2020, the celebrated filmmaker is properly in the wine business at a level he never imagined three decades ago.
Born in England, Scott, 87, helmed some of the most lauded feature films of the modern era, including Alien, Blade Runner, Black Hawk Down, Kingdom of Heaven and A Good Year. His original Gladiator won five Academy Awards when it debuted in 2000, and Gladiator II has been a smashing box office megahit since its late-November debut.
Wine Spectator spoke with Scott about his vision for Mas des Infermières, his favorite types of wine, and what he would pour for Napoleon.
Have you been surprised by the success of Gladiator II since its Nov. 22 release? And what did you drink to celebrate?
I wasn’t surprised; I was confident the film was definitely a grande cuvée. Funny enough, I had a very good bottle of Krug handy, so I grabbed that. Champagne is not really my drink. But when you have a great weekend, you better celebrate with the acknowledged celebratory drink.
What bottle did you open when you were knighted by the Queen in 2003?
It was Krug then, too. I don’t know why, but Krug is dry and has real depth.
How did you end up purchasing an estate in the Luberon in 1992?
I had given up my farm in the Cotswolds in England—a beautiful area, but similar to the Dordogne in that it always rains. For years I looked for a new holiday home for my family somewhere with sunshine. I was at the Cannes Film Festival one year and a realtor told me to see this place; I drove the 250 kilometers and bought it before lunchtime.
Mas des Infermières came with newly planted vines—was it your dream to create a wine brand back then?
No. At the time, I didn’t know what I was buying—I chose it for the beauty. But we are located at the base of the Luberon mountains, so very close to the end of the Central Massif, which is unique and ideal for vinegrowing. With sandy soils and elevation and a natural water source coming from the mountain, it’s a treasure in our region. It was only [27 acres] of vines at that time (now we are [75]) and initially I gave the grapes to a local [cooperative]. I didn’t take this winery seriously until about 2006 or 2007. The local [cooperative] did a good job bottling the wine, but they did the deals and made all the money and I just lost money. Oddly, the wine kept winning awards in Paris competitions. So I decided to end the contract and was faced with the reality that I had to build my own cave.
Now that you control your own wine production—your first independent vintage in your new cellar was 2020—what is your vision for the brand, which is now available in the U.S., imported by Baron François?
The cave is pretty impressive and we are now pushing its limits, making 200,000 bottles per year. But like the Bond movie, I "never say never." I’m a designer and a bit of an architect in addition to a filmmaker and I designed the cave so I can expand if needed without disturbing production. But I’d rather make what we have now successful. Medium is beautiful, big becomes a nightmare. And I have Christophe Barraud as estate director and my first estate manager, Denis Langue, who helped me develop—they are the guiding lights.
You’ve also changed the farming. Mas des Infermières has achieved sustainability certification and been awarded Bee-Friendly status. What does that involve?
We installed beehives and planted a hectare of lavender for the bees. We have wildflowers between each row of vines—the French call them "herbes" but frankly they are weeds and flowers—the bees like them and they force the vines to compete for water and nutrients. It makes the vines stronger and that logic always made sense to me. You don’t want neat, straight rows like you are Switzerland—it’s not good for the vine or the wine.
What is the history behind the name Mas des Infermières?
Infermière means "nurse" in Italian, which is a bad association—if you drink our wine you might end up in the hospital? The name dates back to the 1800s when this area still belonged to the papacy and one wonders if the Mas was a hospital at some point, probably run by Italian nuns. The land register of Napoleon mentions the estate in 1831, and General Baron Robert, a "health officer" in Napoleon’s army, once owned it. General Robert was responsible for introducing medics to the battlefield to collect wounded and dead.
Napoleon loved wine. Based on what you learned about him when producing your 2023 film Napoleon, which of your wines would you serve him?
Ombre de Lune. It’s one of our best reds, based on Syrah. I once saw two dogs howling at the moon side by side and never forgot it; I made a sketch of that and it became the label. Napoleon was an insomniac, so it might help him sleep.
All your label artwork feature illustrations you’ve drawn. What inspires you and what stories are you trying to tell?
Every time I come to Provence it feels like I’m going on holiday. Even in winter the air is so fresh and clean, it’s always a relief when I step out of the airport. I try to incorporate that feeling into the labels; the air is fine, there are things to do, things to look at and a lot of history. With that, my passion for dogs has to be included so every label has a dog on it.
When did your love of wine begin?
Because I was relatively successful in my 20s, I could afford wine instead of beer in restaurants. So you gradually learn off the wine list, and you are in awe of the sommelier staring at you and you pretend that you know about wine. In a way, it’s a comedy of errors, the beginning of knowledge. I learned about wine by drinking it, honestly.
When Wine Spectator interviewed you back in 2006, you described yourself as an "average wine drinker who happened to have a vineyard." How would you describe your preferred style of wine today?
Years ago, I drank a lot of wine from the Aloxe-Corton appellation in Burgundy. The purity of the blackberry taste was absolutely amazing, I never forgot it. Over many advertising lunches at good restaurants, I also discovered Italian wine just as London was really discovering it—we are talking about the 1960s; I’m an old geezer, I go way back. I liked the lightness of Italian wine, and with French wines, too, I always prefer a fresh style. But I think Burgundy is going to price themselves out of the market.
Mas des Infermières wines are quite a bit more affordable than Burgundy—the Source line of wines are around $27 a bottle. What other wines are in your personal cellar?
Nothing is left. I only have my wine. We make three reds, two whites and two rosés, so why would I need anything else? I’m quite discerning as a drinker, I don’t drink a lot. I always decant half a bottle, cork the rest with vacuum seal. That is my limit for the evening.
As you well know, the wine business is challenging right now, it’s difficult to launch a new brand.
I’m in a very competitive business as a filmmaker. Advertising is also completely competitive. It always comes down to the last man standing. The last man standing is usually the best. As people drink less wine it will thin out the competition, which is even better. Too many people are making wine today. It’s a challenge I embrace, and I think we will win.
Mas des Infermières has become a family affair—my kids work in my advertising agency, Ridley Scott Associates (RSA). We are all very aware you have to make yourself known—it doesn’t matter how good the wine is, you have to get it out there so people can appreciate it. In addition to the U.S. our next market we are targeting is the UK—the British are big drinkers, whatever you say, they drink a lot.
Can you share anything about your new film?
It’s based on a very good book, The Dog Stars, set in the near future in the wake of an unnamed pandemic. I can’t say who the cast is yet, we are still negotiating, but you will know them for sure. I’m already out there choosing locations, I work that far ahead. This April we will be filming south of the Dolomites in Italy, which is a very short drive from Provence, so I will get to spend every weekend there.
