In 2024, Yann Stofer captured the light across Lafite, revealing the symbiotic stories between man and nature. Visions that aren’t obvious at first glance.
For decades, we’ve invited some of the most talented photographers to cast their gaze on Château Lafite Rothschild. And every year, Lafite’s greeting card is part of the ‘Regards sur Lafite’ series. In 2024, Yann Stofer captured the light across Lafite, revealing the symbiotic stories between man and nature. Visions that aren’t obvious at first glance.
Yann arrived at the estate in early autumn, just as the harvest gave way to a period of relative calm. Like a deep breath after the bustle. But this wasn’t unfamiliar terrain for Yann. ‘I know the region well. I’ve travelled from Charente to the Basque Country, and as a young man, I even worked the Médoc harvest,’ he recalls with a smile.
It felt like Yann was returning to his roots. But this wasn’t simply nostalgia. Passing through the Château’s gates, he didn’t just reconnect with this familiar landscape; he discovered a vibrant, living environment where vineyards meet gardens, marshes, and even a vegetable patch. ‘The first thing that struck me was the overwhelming presence of nature,’ he says. And he wanted to tell this story through images, ‘in the style of a feature story’.
‘Conditions like this force you to see things differently. Suddenly, what seems dull can reveal unexpected poetry.’
Light is a treasure that photographers chase relentlessly. And this is especially true at Lafite, where light gilds the vines and paints the marshes in silvery hues. Unfortunately, Yann wasn’t blessed with ideal weather. ‘Conditions like this force you to see things differently. Suddenly, what seems dull can reveal unexpected poetry.’ Rain was his main adversary during the visit, but it would take more than a few drops to dampen Yann’s enthusiasm. ‘You always have to go for it. There’s always something happening, even under the clouds,’ he asserts.
And when the sun refused to show, Yann turned to his flash. ‘Highlighting a wildflower in the dark, creating a mirror effect with the rain—that’s when the magic happens,’ he says, with the passion of an artist who knows how to turn a challenging situation into an opportunity.
Lafite, filled with stories, became Yann’s muse. Guided by instinct, he allowed the environment to shape his approach. ‘When faced with the same subject, two photographers will never take the same photo,’ he explains. ‘And with a playground as rich as Lafite, the imagination knows no bounds.’
He chose to explore the connection between humanity and nature, a constant dialogue you’ll observe in every nook of the estate. ‘I learned a lot during my time here, especially about the rare harmony between human actions and natural cycles.’
At the end of the project, Yann left with much more than a collection of photographs.
‘I embarked on this adventure with immense joy, and I never imagined I’d leave feeling so fulfilled,’ Yann concludes. His sentiments are reflected in his photographs. Each image seems to whisper Lafite’s story to those who take the time to look.’
About Yann Stofer
Born in 1977, Yann Stofer is a photographer, musician and filmmaker. He explores the world with a singular perspective and an insatiable curiosity. Between the stage, the road, and the cinema, his journey reflects a state of perpetual motion and an imagination fueled by travel. Self-taught and independent, his images convey a need for freedom and a longing for wandering.
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