Sebastien Lamothe, the winemaker at Chateau de Sours in Bordeaux, has died aged 35.
Lamothe, who died in an accident yesterday morning, was winemaker at de Sours in Entre deux Mers and Clos Cantenac in St Emilion.
He had worked for Martin Krajewski, who owns both properties, for five years, and was key to the success of de Sours and its hugely popular rosé.
Krajewski told decanter.com, ‘Sebastien was not only a very fine man and a wonderful winemaker and business partner, but also a great, close and dear friend. This is a great shock for all of us.’
He added that they had closed the property for the rest of this week but would reopen on Monday. ‘It will be business as usual, as Sebastien would want.’
Krajewski also paid tribute to the young oenologist’s winemaking skills.
‘Last year Sebastien made our best ever rosé, and it will remind us of him all around the world wherever we are and whenever we drink it.’
Lamothe leaves his wife, Julie, and two children, Heloise, 4, and Max, 2.
The funeral will be held tomorrow, Thursday, at 10am at Eglise de la Trinite, Place de L’Europe, Bordeaux.
Written by Adam Lechmere
