Mandy Gautrand is one of the partners of the company Ostrea Cultura. Midi Libre – RENE FERRANDO
Le vendredi, sur le parvis du caveau des Vignerons du Pays d’Ensérune, à Nissan, les clients viennent acheter leurs fruits de mer. Midi Libre – RENE FERRANDO
In the villages, mobile businesses are a significant plus, especially for the elderly who have difficulty getting around. This presence creates social ties. In the West Hérault, many traders crisscross the roads to supply the population or provide services. “Midi Libre” went to meet these itinerants. Third part of this series in Nissan-lez-Ensérune where Ostrea Cultura offers oysters and other seafood on Fridays.
Mandy Gautrand is late and is busy setting up her stand on the forecourt of the Vignerons du Pays d’Ensérune cellar in Nissan-lez-Ensérune. “I had to drop the kids off at school before coming.” The young woman takes out baskets filled with oysters that she places on a table. A customer waits for everything to be ready. “I'm a regular, says this Nissan woman. I don't come every week but once in two. The saleswoman is very pleasant, she always has a smile. And, above all, she has magnificent tielles”. Mandy smiles and serves her customer who, after paying for her purchases, goes back to her car. No time to breathe. Another lady who has just bought wine introduces herself. “As usual ?”, Mandy asks. “Yes, six large oysters and six small ones.”
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000Oysters and mussels from the Thau lagoon
Mandy, her husband Patrick and Charly Canizares are the three pillars of Ostrea Cultura, an oyster and mussel production company on the Thau lagoon. “We have been based in Marseillan for eight years. We have ten tables, eight of which are in production. And we have been selling our produce on the road for seven years”, Mandy explains. “It was the Vignerons du Pays d'Ensérune who approached us to be present in Nissan-lez-Ensérune but also in Cazouls-lès-Béziers in front of the two cooperative wineries.” This is how Mandy or Charly set up their stall on Fridays in Nissan and on Saturdays in Cazouls. “People come to buy their wine and at the same time, they treat themselves to seafood”, explains the young woman.
Word of mouth
“In Nissan and Cazouls, the Vignerons du Pays d’Ensérune sent out mailings to let people know about our presence. Otherwise, it’s word of mouth. We have a loyal clientele”, says Mandy. One thing led to another, and Ostrea Cultura also got into events. “We offer plates of oysters and other seafood at events organized by the Vignerons du Pays d’Ensérune, such as the Jardin des Afters in the summer. And we are also present at various wine estates during events”, says Mandy. But that’s not all. The company is also present in Saint-Chinian where it occupies a kiosk located at the end of the promenade. This is open on Friday and Saturday afternoons. “The kiosk allows us to produce more elaborate platters.” Finally, we find Ostrea Cultura under the Vias market halls. There, Patrick, Charly and Mandy have taken over from a hall figure, oyster farmer Roland Negrou, who retired in June. “My partner and I are taking over this business with the aim of not changing anything in Roland Negrou's way of doing things. A new start in continuity”, Patrick Gautrand summed up during the handover.
Gold at the Salon de l'agriculture
And continuity is assured. “At the Vias market halls, we are open every day except Monday and Thursday. In the summer, we organize tastings. We prepare plates of oysters and then people go and eat them in the bars while having a glass of wine”, Mandy emphasizes. On the production side, Ostrea Cultura distinguished itself at the Salon de l'agriculture. In March, in the category of Mediterranean basin hollow oysters, the company won gold. An award that warmed the hearts of the three partners. A guarantee of quality. And the customer is not mistaken. Like Jean-Claude, known as “La bonne humeur”. “I'm a regular. On Fridays, I come to the Nissan cellar to buy my wine and my shellfish”, he says with a smile.