THE STORY BEHIND THE FRENCH CAROUSEL,
From childhood memories to Sydney tables, this is the journey behind the wines and the person choosing them.
Before The French Carousel.
Before The French Carousel existed, its foundations were already taking shape through the story of its founder, Léandre Koch. Born and raised in Lyon, Léandre grew up in a culture where food and wine are part of everyday life, and where sharing a bottle has always meant more than what is in the glass. It is about the people around the table, the stories being told, and the way a simple moment can become memorable. That connection also runs through Léandre’s family roots in Alsace, where wine has long been part of the landscape and the family story. Later, in 2020, a first step into hospitality deepened that relationship with wine. Working in a steakhouse sparked a real passion, which later grew further in a bottle shop in Vourles, near Lyon, where the learning became more hands on, more detailed, and more serious.
Before The French Carousel.
Before The French Carousel existed, its foundations were already taking shape through the story of its founder, Léandre Koch. Born and raised in Lyon, Léandre grew up in a culture where food and wine are part of everyday life, and where sharing a bottle has always meant more than what is in the glass. It is about the people around the table, the stories being told, and the way a simple moment can become memorable. That connection also runs through Léandre’s family roots in Alsace, where wine has long been part of the landscape and the family story. Later, in 2020, a first step into hospitality deepened that relationship with wine. Working in a steakhouse sparked a real passion, which later grew further in a bottle shop in Vourles, near Lyon, where the learning became more hands on, more detailed, and more serious.
Where it all began.
The first idea for The French Carousel came in June 2023, in a guinguette in Soissons, over a glass of wine. What started as a simple conversation soon became something more concrete.
On paper, the first outlines of the project began to appear.
The business was co founded by Léandre and Théo, with a shared desire to bring a more personal vision of French wine to Australia.
From that moment, The French Carousel was no longer just an idea. It became a real project, shaped by ambition, curiosity, and the wish to share a part of French culture through wine.
Where it all began.
The first idea for The French Carousel came in June 2023, in a guinguette in Soissons, over a glass of wine. What started as a simple conversation soon became something more concrete.
On paper, the first outlines of the project began to appear.
The business was co founded by Léandre and Théo, with a shared desire to bring a more personal vision of French wine to Australia.
From that moment, The French Carousel was no longer just an idea. It became a real project, shaped by ambition, curiosity, and the wish to share a part of French culture through wine.
Building the idea from France..
The first chapter of The French Carousel was built from France, which made the project both exciting and demanding.
Before anything could exist for real, there was a great deal to work through.
The challenge was not only to imagine the business, but to make it possible from the other side of the world.
That meant researching how to build an Australian business remotely, meeting retailers in Australia, connecting with trusted importer partners, and attending wine events such as Salon du Vigneron in Lyon.
It also meant tasting the bottles chosen for the future collection, taking the time to understand what truly belonged on the website.
The French Carousel was growing slowly, but it was growing with purpose.
Building the idea from France..
The first chapter of The French Carousel was built from France, which made the project both exciting and demanding.
Before anything could exist for real, there was a great deal to work through.
The challenge was not only to imagine the business, but to make it possible from the other side of the world.
That meant researching how to build an Australian business remotely, meeting retailers in Australia, connecting with trusted importer partners, and attending wine events such as Salon du Vigneron in Lyon.
It also meant tasting the bottles chosen for the future collection, taking the time to understand what truly belonged on the website.
The French Carousel was growing slowly, but it was growing with purpose.
Arriving in Sydney.
In September 2024, the story entered a new chapter when Léandre moved to Sydney to begin setting up the business on the ground.
After months of planning from France, arriving in Australia made everything feel both exciting and slightly unreal, as if the project was only just beginning to reveal itself.
For the first time, The French Carousel was no longer only a plan taking shape from afar.
It was becoming physical, local, and real.
Arriving in Sydney.
In September 2024, the story entered a new chapter when Léandre moved to Sydney to begin setting up the business on the ground.
After months of planning from France, arriving in Australia made everything feel both exciting and slightly unreal, as if the project was only just beginning to reveal itself.
For the first time, The French Carousel was no longer only a plan taking shape from afar.
It was becoming physical, local, and real.
The first real steps.
Soon after, some of the first practical moments gave the project a new kind of reality. Collecting boxes, preparing packaging, setting up the first orders.
Yet these were the moments when The French Carousel stopped being an idea on paper and started becoming part of everyday life.
The first real steps.
Soon after, some of the first practical moments gave the project a new kind of reality. Collecting boxes, preparing packaging, setting up the first orders.
Yet these were the moments when The French Carousel stopped being an idea on paper and started becoming part of everyday life.
The first sale.
Then came the moment that changed everything. On 4 February 2025 at 12:32am, The French Carousel sold its first bottle. The order came through live.
A bottle of Champagne was already waiting for the occasion, and the cork was popped straight away.
In the excitement, a glass was even broken. "Oups... Pas fait exprès". It was not polished or perfect, but that is exactly what made the moment unforgettable. It was spontaneous, joyful, and completely real.
The first sale.
Then came the moment that changed everything. On 4 February 2025 at 12:32am, The French Carousel sold its first bottle. The order came through live.
A bottle of Champagne was already waiting for the occasion, and the cork was popped straight away.
In the excitement, a glass was even broken. "Oups... Pas fait exprès". It was not polished or perfect, but that is exactly what made the moment unforgettable. It was spontaneous, joyful, and completely real.
A new chapter.
Over the past year, The French Carousel has continued to grow.
Work with new peoples helped strengthen the branding, but more importantly, it helped clarify the identity behind the business.
What it stands for. What it wants to bring. What kind of experience it wants to create.
The work is still ongoing, but the direction today is stronger, clearer, and more grounded than before.
A new chapter.
Over the past year, The French Carousel has continued to grow.
Work with new peoples helped strengthen the branding, but more importantly, it helped clarify the identity behind the business.
What it stands for. What it wants to bring. What kind of experience it wants to create.
The work is still ongoing, but the direction today is stronger, clearer, and more grounded than before.
The first sale.
Today, The French Carousel stands for a simple but meaningful idea.
To share French wine with honesty, warmth, and personality. Not in a way that feels distant or overly formal, but in a way that feels alive, approachable, and connected to real moments.
From a guinguette in Soissons to a first order packed in Sydney, the journey has been shaped by passion, patience, and a deep attachment to French wine culture.
Every bottle offered through The French Carousel carries a part of that story, and a desire to bring a little more French authenticity and savoir faire to the Australian table.
The first sale.
Today, The French Carousel stands for a simple but meaningful idea.
To share French wine with honesty, warmth, and personality. Not in a way that feels distant or overly formal, but in a way that feels alive, approachable, and connected to real moments.
From a guinguette in Soissons to a first order packed in Sydney, the journey has been shaped by passion, patience, and a deep attachment to French wine culture.
Every bottle offered through The French Carousel carries a part of that story, and a desire to bring a little more French authenticity and savoir faire to the Australian table.
