Portraits of winemakers

DOMAINE DE LA MADRAGUE, FROM THE VINES TO THE BEACH!

Domaine de la Madrague: Where Vineyards Meet the Sea

The Domaine de la Madrague is the only vineyard in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez where the vines descend directly onto the iconic Gigaro Beach. This unique location, where land meets sea, is reflected in the siren, the emblem of the estate, which adorns every bottle.

The story began in 2007 when Jean-Marie Zodo, originally from Lille, fell in love with Gigaro. A wine and oenology enthusiast, he decided to purchase the neglected estate to preserve its unique, tradition-laden terroir. Together with his team, he revitalized the dilapidated vineyard and immediately committed to converting the entire estate to organic farming.

As a result, Domaine de la Madrague has practiced organic agriculture from the very beginning, respecting both the soil and the vines. In some plots, the estate even uses animal traction for plowing and harvesting the grapes.

Domaine de la Madrague: A Family-Run Estate Dedicated to Nature

Domaine de la Madrague is a terroir-driven, family-run estate with a deep-rooted history. Some of the cuvées are even named after the owner’s daughters and grandchildren, such as the rosé cuvées "Charlotte" and "Claire." Committed to producing wines of impeccable quality while respecting the environment, Domaine de la Madrague was one of the first vineyards in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez to adopt organic farming.

In recent years, the estate has embarked on a biodiversity protection initiative, installing over 200 beehives around its vineyards and surrounding forests. These hives, known as "Les Abeilles de Grimaud," produce high-quality organic honey. Additionally, the estate plans to replant olive trees on existing plots to produce its own organic olive oil, benefiting from the synergy between olives, bees, and vines in a Mediterranean environment.

Domaine de la Madrague: Exceptional Rosé Wines

Domaine de la Madrague specializes in producing exceptional rosé wines, which make up nearly 80% of its production. Many of its cuvées have won gold medals in competitions, such as the "Claire Bio Rosé 2021" and "Gaspard Rosé 2021" at the Vinalies Internationales. For the past two years, the "Charlotte Rosé" cuvée has even been awarded Best Wine in the World at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.

This level of excellence is achieved by adhering to the estate’s philosophy: producing high-quality wines rooted in a strong family tradition while respecting the vines and the environment. It is this relentless pursuit of improvement with each vintage that drives this passionate winemaker and his team to rise each morning.