Southern French vigneron and winemaker Jean-Marc Astruc dies

Jean-Marc Astruc, a French winemaker and husband of British winemaker Katie Jones, has died at the age of 61, following a year-long illness. 

Astruc was born in 1961 in Tuchan, South of France, in the Fitou appellation. He was a respected grape grower, who took over his family vines at the age of 19.

He was married to British winemaker and ex-pat Katie Jones. Together they set up Domaine Jones in 2009, resulting in great acclaim and international recognition.

The couple wed in May 2015, and they went on to set up Domaine Jean-Marc Astruc in the same year, managing both estates together, side by side.

The duo established a community of fans and followers with their lockdown vineyard rambles, drawing in wine enthusiasts from around the world and sharing their daily vineyard adventures.

The 2022 harvest at Domaine Jones is already underway and the winery team will continue to bring in the grapes.

“It’s what Jean-Marc would have wanted, he was happiest in the vineyards. 2022 vintage will be a difficult vintage for us to remember, but we will make sure Jean-Marc would have been proud of the results,” said Katie Jones, Domaine Jones winemaker and wife to Jean-Marc Astruc.

Wine professionals and those that knew him took to Twitter to share memories and condolences.

Hello Angels, it is with deep sadness that we share the devastating news that Naked winemaker Jean-Marc Astruc has passed away.

Jean-Marc was, and will always be remembered as an outstanding winemaker, a friend and a loving husband to Katie Jones. pic.twitter.com/3Z1SyDmIQA

— Naked Wines UK (@NakedWines) September 9, 2022