Axel Domont

From Professional Cyclist to Winemaker

His destiny was not necessarily linked to wine, but rather to his trusty steed — his bicycle. Axel Domont, a former professional cyclist with the AG2R La Mondiale team, decided to change his life and trust his second passion: wine.
In 2020, he took the plunge in Savoie, at the foot of Mont Granier, to produce the kind of wines we love at Epi-curieux.com. A must-discover!

The Beautiful Story of Axel Domont

Originally from the Drôme region, Axel first travelled the roads of France and the world on his bike before landing among the vines. Based in Chambéry, Axel Domont joined the training center of the AG2R La Mondiale team before joining the professional team for seven years. His career change was almost a necessity—had he been able to continue a few more years, he would have. In fact, after two Tour de France races and numerous events around the world, he suffered several collarbone and pelvis fractures. His final race ended with a sixth broken collarbone. A brutal fall for an equally abrupt career end. Faced with the reality of physical and mental exhaustion, Axel made the decision on his hospital bed to stop—and take a new path.
He turned toward his second passion: nature, and also wine. Axel Domont decided to become a winemaker. He resumed his studies, started his own company, and met Nicolas Ferrand, Domaine des Côtes Rousses. Nicolas believed in him and gave him a chance by welcoming him into his cellar. Axel launched himself as a négociant, buying grapes from Savoyard winemakers working in organic or biodynamic farming, and vinifying them in his own way.
Nicolas Ferrand lent him the space, barrels, and tanks to create his first wines — giving him full creative freedom. Axel Domont's wines were born in 2021.
Two beautiful years after starting as a self-taught winemaker, Axel settled in Les Marches, with a breathtaking view of Mont Granier, a mountain with a long life story of its own.

The Cuvées of Axel Domont

Axel has no regrets about his life choice; returning to the land, creating something with his hands was exactly what he wanted. And he has made a successful career change with great talent. He vinifies his wines with sincerity, boldness, and a great deal of enthusiasm. Axel’s wines have a true story — and it shows. His wines are above all fresh, with a controlled acidity that awakens the taste buds.
Axel rents vineyards on the heights of Apremont and Les Marches. He aims to work as naturally as possible, so they are farmed organically.
He first produced this 100% Gamay from Fréterive, Nuit Blanche 2020. A name that refers to the effort the cuvée required — fearing deviation, Axel watched over it night after night, and the result is full of energy. He then created a new cuvée, Flamme rouge 2021. A nod to his former cycling career, evoking the final kilometer of a race. A blend of Mondeuse, Pinot Noir, and Gamay offering lots of freshness and fruit, especially thanks to a short maceration.
Axel Domont’s latest creation, Kilomètre 0 2021, again refers to his past as a top-level athlete. A 100% Jacquère cuvée from several terroirs, aged in amphora and demi-muids. For the purest expression of Jacquère. Chien d’arrêt 2020, available in magnum, is a blend of Jacquère and Roussette, delivering maximum liveliness and tension. This cuvée pays tribute to his other passion: hunting, where his loyal dog always accompanies him.
Rencontres 2020 magnum, his 100% Mondeuse from Fréterive, is full of finesse and lightness. A lovely mouthfeel, full of indulgence. Lastly, there’s his collaboration with friend Clément Chevrier. The cuvée Tandem, in magnum, symbolizes the two friends. Former teammates at AG2R La Mondiale, the two cyclists have definitively turned the page and now unite around wine. Axel is the winemaker, Clément the sommelier — and this great opportunity couldn’t be missed. A 100% Gamay we love, easy to enjoy, and perfect to share — pure grape juice pleasure.
Wines that reflect Axel’s spirit: wines made for sharing, full of freshness and indulgence — wines that Epi-curieux.com is proud to offer you.