The DAMASCENE founders were united by three passions; the pursuit of excellence, a spirit of discovery, and the desire to preserve nature through sustainable agriculture. Wine entrepreneur David Curl (the former owner of Chateau Gaby in Canon-Fronsac) had begun discussions with winemaker Jean Smit about his involvement in Moya Meaker wines; an Elgin-based winery focussing on premium cool-climate Burgundy cultivars.

But after many long conversations about life, the meaning of quality, and the philosophical search for what wine should be (rather than what it is) they were both convinced that their collaboration would not end there. Within six months, Damascene was conceived; a series of wines that would tell the story, not of their owners, or marketing trends, but of the very vineyards themselves.