Women and Men of Château La Garde: Portrait of Pénélope Godefroy

Appointed Managing Director of Maison Dourthe in May 2025, Pénélope Godefroy brings a thoughtful and exacting vision to wine, shaped by a background in life sciences, formative encounters and a deeply rooted culture of precision.

You began with studies in biology. What led you towards the world of wine?

It all started with my interest in the living world. In wine, that idea takes on an even more holistic dimension: soils, the vine as a perennial plant, climate, people — everything is interconnected. I have also always been fascinated by the cultural and historical depth of wine.

I come from a family environment deeply respectful of fine craftsmanship. My father was a publisher specialising in traditional trades and the compagnonnage system, which gave me a strong sensitivity to gesture, know-how and precision.

Wine ultimately brings together nature, culture and sensory expression. It engages both the intellect and an artistic — even spiritual — sensibility.

Was there a particularly defining encounter or experience along your path?

Yes, my time at Artémis Domaines, and especially at Château Latour. There, I discovered a true culture of precision and long-term thinking.

My encounters in Burgundy were also decisive, particularly through Pierre Masson, a biodynamic consultant. I worked alongside leading winegrowers committed to this approach. They taught me humility, a taste for experimentation, and the value of doubt — three essential pillars for progress in this profession.

What appealed to you when you first discovered Château La Garde?

First and foremost, it was the strength of its terroir. Château La Garde has a remarkable geological mosaic: a single, contiguous vineyard bringing together the emblematic soils of both banks of Bordeaux.

There is a limestone and clay-limestone plateau, ideal for Merlot and Cabernet Franc, alongside a plateau of deep gravels where Cabernet Sauvignon expresses its full complexity.

Then there is the cellar, designed for highly detailed, parcel-by-parcel vinification in the service of purity.

Finally, the Dourthe’s vision immediately resonated with me: investing, structuring and aiming high.

How would you define the identity of Château La Garde’s wine today?

I would describe it as a form of graphic elegance — wines defined by verticality, clarity and finely textured tannins.

If you had to describe the estate in three words?

Immersive. Harmonious. Sincere.

How do you bring these values to life day to day with your teams?

I start by providing a clear vision — explaining why we do things.

We hold regular cross-functional meetings, share practices between estates and recognise everyone’s contribution.

Above all, we see experimentation as a shared mindset, not a risk. Doubt is a strength when it serves precision.

Your favourite moment at Château La Garde?

Early in the morning, when the mist lifts over the gravel soils and the estate is still silent. It is a suspended moment, when you can fully feel the place breathing.

A memory that has stayed with you since your arrival?

My first blending tasting at La Garde, with the 2024 vintage. There was an immediate realisation of the site’s DNA. I remember thinking: this is it. This is where I belong.