Last night, many French people were in front of their television to follow the coronation of the new Miss France. On Facebook, another election was played in parallel, that of Miss and Mister France Agricole.
And it is a Gardoise who wins the title of Miss France Agricole 2023. Her name is Pauline Pradier, she is 31 years old and works as a winemaker at the family estate La Vallaurie, in Saint-Nazaire, near Bagnols-sur-Cèze . She was elected hands down by the jury of the competition, which aims to promote women and men in the agricultural sector and to convey a positive image of the entire profession.
Pauline Pradier describes herself above all as “a passionate“. She grew up in the middle of the vineyards, has worked with her father for eleven years on the family estate. She took over the reins eight years ago, at the age of 23, constituting the 3rd generation at the head of the estate. She brings her touch with innovations, such as creating her own bottles, vinifying a cuvée in an amphora…
Other Gardois on the podium
After the announcement of her victory, the Gardoise expressed herself on social networks: “I am very proud to represent agricultural France for a year! Thanks to my family, they are the ones who shared my passion and my values! My friends who believed in this adventure! I am proud of my region for being Gard and French, a country where we eat and drink well and where agriculture is essential!“She is meeting in Paris in a few months for the agricultural show.
Beyond Pauline Pradier’s victory, the 2023 podium is rather a good year for Gard farmers. Océane, a 28-year-old young woman, originally from Picardy but living in the Gard as a wine-growing employee on a 75-hectare estate, arrives on the 3rd step of the podium and wins the title of 2nd runner-up.
And for the 2nd year in a row, Rafael Bordary finished 1st runner-up in the junior agricultural category. The 17-year-old young man, based in Montfaucon, has already owned his flock of sheep since he was 15 years old. He takes care of it while doing an apprenticeship on a sheep farm in the Gard as well.
Mary Meunier