Top 5 rugby players who became winemakers

From the rugby pitch to the vineyard, it seems like only a small step, given the number of talented rugby players who have become passionate winemakers! One wonders what makes them transition from the pitch to the vineyards of châteaux with such ease. Quite simply, it's the pleasure of it! And the values shared by both worlds: the pursuit of beauty and quality, sharing, and conviviality… From rugby balls on the field to corks, here is our top 5 list of rugby players turned winemakers:

Pieter de Villiers, the South African living in Montpellier

Pieter de Villiers was born and raised among his family's vineyards in South Africa. It was therefore quite natural that he turned to wine after retiring from his rugby career. Convinced of the region's potential, he acquired Domaine Montgros near Montpellier.

Gérard Bertrand, star winemaker

The son of a winemaker, Gérard Bertrand turned to rugby at a very young age. He took over his father's estate, Domaine de Villmajou, in Corbières , and quickly found himself at the head of a wine trading business. Gérard Bertrand used the values of rugby to become a successful businessman: a feel for the game, a competitive spirit, strategy, and the ability to assess people.

Olivier Brouzet, an international success

After a successful international career, Olivier Brouzet now heads Château Haut-Francarney in the Canon-Fronsac appellation. His bottles travel as far as the United States, but above all, he has the ambition to make good wine!

Jean-Pierre Rives, versatile rugby player

Here is a man who likes to wear many hats: rugby player, sculptor and now winemaker. The Toulouse native, who had the honor of designing the latest jersey for the French national team, has also bought a thirty-hectare estate in the Corbières mountains, directly opposite the Notre-Dame de Gaussan Abbey.

Olivier Dauga, the Winemaker

For the Winemaker, as he is nicknamed, the passion for wine developed gradually, through discussions with his winemaker grandfather and trips to Australia. Based in the Bordeaux region , he is now a wine consultant, one of the most renowned in Bordeaux .

Pourquoi nous faire confiance ?

Depuis plus de 10 ans, chez Les Grappes, nous partons à la rencontre de vignerons passionnés partout en France pour dénicher des vins authentiques, vivants et pleins d'histoire. En travaillant directement avec plus de 500 vignerons, nous sélectionnons des cuvées que nous aimons vraiment et que nous avons envie de vous faire découvrir.

Ce blog est le prolongement de cette aventure. On y partage nos découvertes, nos conseils, nos coups de cœur, nos meilleurs accords mets-vins, des idées de dégustation et tout ce qui nous anime au quotidien autour du vin.

L'objectif est simple : vous aider à choisir des bouteilles qui vous ressemblent et à prendre encore plus de plaisir à les déguster.