The present invention relates to the field of organic synthesis and more particularly to a new process for the optical resolution of a precursor of sclareolide. This process includes the reaction of [(1RS,2RS,4aSR,8aSR)-2-hydroxy-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyldecahydronaphthalen-1-yl]acetic acid, or an alkaline salt thereof, with an enantiomer of the 2-(methylamino)-1-phenyl-1-propanol, or an ammonium salt thereof respectively, which is used as resolving agent.