Francois Lamarche dies in tractor accident

Francois Lamarche, winemaker and owner of Domaine Lamarche in Burgundys Vosne-Romanee, died on Tuesday afternoon following a tractor accident at his family's holiday home in Baudrieres, also in Burgundy.

The Lamarche family, Francois on right (image: finevines.com)

It is understood the tractor rolled into a lake on the property, trapping the 69-year-old Lamarche underneath.I

Domaine Lamarche makes 14 separate wines, including the monopole La Grande Rue, and three other Grands Crus in Clos de Vougeot, Grands Echezeaux and Echezeaux, over 28 acres in total. The family has made wine in Vosne since the 18th century, with François taking over from his father in 1985.

For the last few years, François has been running the property with his daughter Nicole, sister Genevieve and niece Nathalie.

‘Above all else, he loved the vines, and was truly passionate winemaker,’ his wife Marie-Blanche said yesterday.

‘His contribution to the estate was immeasurable, particularly in getting La Grand Rue recognised as a Grand Cru in 1989’, Tim Atkin MW told Decanter.com.

‘The wines are among the best of the region, and his work will be ably continued by Nicole and Nathalie.’

Written by Jane Anson in Bordeaux