My husband, John, and I visited Domaine Tempier winery on a stunning spring day in May of 2015. It seemed a bit surreal to be walking down the tree-lined driveway and to be on this hallowed ground making our way up to the tasting room. I had read so much about the story of Lucien and Lulu Peyraud, who founded Domaine Tempier, after Lulu’s father gave the young couple this property as a wedding gift.

With a lot of hard work, the exceptional vineyard terroir, the beautiful wines, and seven children later, the legendary life of Lucien and Lulu Peyraud grew and grew. Lulu was not only a mother, but a wine ambassador and marketed Domaine Tempier wines traveling extensively. Her cooking became legendary, pairing the simple gastronomic Provence flavors and foods found at her local markets, which perfectly complemented their wines. The Peyraud’s often hosted, cooked, and feasted with culinary royalty and friends such as Richard Olney, Alice Waters, Fanny Singer (Alice Waters’ daughter), David Tanis, and many more. For an up close look at Lulu’s kitchen and sharing of some of her recipes, David Tanis wrote a beautiful article for Saveur for their special France Issue, May 2016.

A young Kermit Lynch, in the 1970’s, out of Berkley began importing wines from small family wineries in France, also became a lifelong friend and ambassador of Domaine Tempier wines. Today, Domaine Tempier rosé is the gold standard for rosé in Provence, and also their Mourvèdre driven reds.

When we visited Domaine Tempier in 2015, Lulu Peyraud was 97 years old. We certainly did not see or visit with her, but her presence was felt. Last month, on October 7, 2020, the world lost Lulu at 102 years young, just shy of her 103rd birthday. Her passing was felt all over the world, and you can read more about remembering her, and her life in The Washington Post and The New York Times.

I have always looked up to Lulu Peyraud, because of a similar heartfelt passion and connection with Provence, the wines, the food, the “joie de vivre,” celebrating the simple everyday life. How incredible to experience that much life over time, as well as the unfolding of so many generations of your family. She had recently become a great, great grandmother.

It is also Lulu’s story, her authentic self, humor, and sharing at the table, how one woman could make such a difference in this world, one dish and one glass of wine at a time. She is a shining example, that each and everyone of us is unique, have so much to offer the world, and can make a difference in the world.

Richard Olney was an American expat neighbor who lived nearby Domaine Tempier, in a run down cottage, and did not drive. The Peyraud’s would gladly pick him up and return him home after their get togethers. Richard Olney was the author of eight books on French cooking, and was also the Chief Consultant to the Time-Life Good Cook series. The friendship he had with the Peyraud’s was special, and because of him, Lulu Peyraud shared her recipes with the world. You can find Lulu Peyraud’s cookbook on amazon.

Every time I have a glass of Domaine Tempier, or a bit of olive tapenade, or a slice of onion tart, I will certainly think of Lulu Peyraud, a life well-lived, and all that she shared with the world. Salut!