Bordeaux Winemaker’s Suicide Highlights Deepening Crisis in French Wine Industry

The Bordeaux wine community is in shock after the suicide of Jonathan Mayer, a 37-year-old winemaker who was well known for his commitment to the region and its future. Mayer, who managed Château Servian in Saint-Hilaire-du-Bois since 2018 and converted it to organic farming in 2019, took his own life on September 23. His death has deeply affected colleagues and friends across the Gironde, highlighting the ongoing crisis facing Bordeaux’s vineyards.

Mayer was an active member of the local agricultural community. He was part of the Coordination Rurale de Gironde (CR33) and was elected earlier this year to the Gironde Chamber of Agriculture. He participated in crisis meetings organized by the prefecture and worked on projects aimed at restructuring Bordeaux’s vineyards to restore profitability after years of economic hardship. Mayer also served on the board of directors for the AOC Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur and was a candidate for treasurer in the new management team proposed by Michel-Éric Jacquin, president of the Organisme de Défense de Gestion (ODG). He attended a board meeting as recently as September 15, where no one noticed any signs of personal or professional distress.

The news has left many in the wine industry speechless. “It’s another tragedy affecting a young, dedicated, and active person,” said a winemaker from Entre-deux-Mers. Others described Mayer as kind, thoughtful, and committed to positive change. “He was very discreet but wanted to make things happen,” said a Bordeaux winemaker. The sense of loss is compounded by memories of other recent suicides in the region, including that of Christophe Blanc in Castillon last spring.

Jean-Paul Ayres, spokesperson for CR33, called Mayer’s death a major loss for agriculture and viticulture in Gironde. He described Mayer as intelligent, friendly, and deeply respected by his peers. Ayres said that while there is a need to allow time for mourning, it is also important not to let these tragedies be forgotten. He called for all stakeholders in the wine sector to come together to prevent further losses.

The sense of urgency is growing among local leaders and winemakers. Didier Cousiney, spokesperson for the Viti 33 collective, wrote an open letter to local officials warning that “the question now is: when will it happen again?” Cousiney pointed to the economic crisis facing winemakers and said that despite promises from authorities, many are losing their livelihoods and dignity. He called for concrete action rather than more speeches.

Jean-Samuel Eynard, president of the Gironde Chamber of Agriculture, issued a statement saying that Mayer’s death painfully reflects the suffering experienced by many in Bordeaux’s wine industry during an unprecedented crisis. Eynard said that collective suicide prevention efforts are not enough given the ongoing economic difficulties. He noted that public support often takes months or years to materialize, leaving many winemakers facing uncertainty and financial insecurity.

The Langon gendarmerie has opened an investigation into Mayer’s death but has not released any details. Local leaders say that while suicide is never caused by a single factor, the current economic climate is contributing to widespread distress among winemakers in Bordeaux.

Mayer’s passing has sparked calls for immediate action from both government officials and industry groups. Many are demanding stronger support systems and faster responses to help those struggling with financial hardship and mental health challenges in one of France’s most famous wine regions.