This is an updated version of the article originally published on November 1, 2016
The grapes have been harvested and it is now time for pressing to begin at the beautifully situated winery Château de Palayson in Provence at the foot of a red rock range. The vineyard produces around 20,000 bottles of wine per year, with around 85% red and rosé and 15% white.
In 1999, while on their honeymoon on the French Riviera, Christine and Alan visited Christine's cousin inland and came across the run-down vineyard, which was home to an elderly lady. In minutes, the couple decided to buy the farm, under the condition that the occupier could stay there until she passed away, which happened a year and a half later.
Related: 8 Artists Inspired by the South of the France
''The lady who lived here had 36 cats," said Christine, "It smelled awful and was very run down. We immediately began renovation work. It has been an enormous task and is still ongoing."
On the property is a chapel from the 1100s, and during the renovation a mausoleum was discovered that dates back to Roman times. ''It was the greatest archaeological discovery of Provence that year,'' says Christine. "Many archaeologists came to study the mausoleum in order to lecture on it."
The château had several interior walls that were demolished to open up and expand rooms. All exterior walls were taken down to the stone foundations and a Dalles de Bourgogne stone floor was laid down.
Related: Accommodation Meets Art: 7 of the Most Creative Hotels in the World
''Alan is an architect and had many ideas about everything being white, with pure and natural materials,'' says Christine. "I am more drawn to color and textiles, but we have managed to compromise.''
Some of the furniture in the home was brought with the couple from previous homes in Washington, Colorado and Copenhagen, and the rest includes finds from antique shops and flea markets local to the area.
Related: Inside a Designer's Punk-Inspired Italian Home
The décor is a mixture of French and Gustavian details with contemporary touches. The couple's friend Inge Hørup has painted several of the modern paintings which adorn the walls, both in the main house and the chapel.
''She had an opening here once, and the plan was to take them down after it, [but] we wanted works for ourselves, so we bought several pieces,'' says Christine.
In the 'blue bedroom' is a beautiful old bureau and a mirror that Christine and Alan bought in France.
Related: A Brief History of Furniture Design
In Christine's son's bedroom the only furniture they retained from the previous owner can be found, which has been newly upholstered.
Both the kitchen counters and sink have been carved in stone from Pierre de Vence. ''The sink had to be carried in by seven men,'' recalls Christine.
Related: Inside a Treasure Trove of a Chinese Shophouse
In the chapel, the couple host parties, dinners and concerts, with the ceiling height creating fantastic acoustics. The large painting hung here was painted by Inge Hørup.
In the chapel also hangs a painting of Madonna, an 1858 reproduction of a painting by 17th century artist Bartolome Esteban Murillo, which has hung there since it was painted.
Related: A Rediscovered Murillo Masterpiece at Auction
In the dining room there is a Gustavian dining table where the couple eat most meals, and the fireplace in this room is used for grilling.
Related: The Beauty of Villa Necchi Campiglio
''We have bonfires with the old vines. They burn beautifully and for a long time, giving off a wonderful smell!'' explains Christine.
The cupboard in the kitchen was purchased at a French flea market and has been lined with toile fabric.
In the guest room called 'the red bedroom,' the bed has been covered with the same fabric as the cupboard in the kitchen.
Related: If These Walls Could Talk: Inside the Home of Swedish Tabloid Founder Lars Johan Hierta
The farm offers award-winning wine to purchase and taste, as well as lunches and corporate events where Alan holds lectures on how to make wine. As well as this, the stunning château has played host to weddings, and there is a villa on the property available to rent.
''To buy a vineyard simply to make money is no good, you need to have passion before embarking on this venture,'' explains Christine. 'We do not own a château, the château owns us."
Photography: Anne Nyblaeus
Stylist: Anette Mörner
Find more articles on Barnebys Magazine
Update: Alan von Eggers Rudd sadly passed away in 2021. Christine still lives and works in the château and continues to run the winery.