The Backstory
Hailing originally from South Korea, Mee had no idea the life that was before her when a young French couple adopted both her and her sister. Taking those first steps out of the South Korean countryside and into the completely foreign cultures of France, it was the passion for farming that kept her grounded in this transition and laid the basis of her dream she did not know was possible.
As she grew, so did her passions. With her pursuit of becoming a farmer starting to take shape around the vineyards that she often admired and the wines she began to sample. Following school, Mee dived head first into an Oenology degree at the Wine University of Oregon in America. Here she spent three years studying and finding opportunities to get as close as possible to the production in the surrounding wine regions, any opportunity to get hands on, she took.
Completing her degree in America, she then moved back home to France in 2003, completing an additional degree in Montpellier. Further engaging with the industry, Mee was a woman on a mission to create change in the wine industry. To further her connections she eventually moved to Burgundy in 2007. Here her love for wine truly bloomed and Mee knew this was the terroir on which she wanted to make her mark. She started working as an intern at the renowned Domaine des Comtes Lafon in Meursault, then at Corton André in Aloxe-Corton. Following this, she became a sales representative for oenological products and one day, a wine from Morgon changed her life forever.
Like a revelation, she understood the majestic potential of Beaujolais’ best crus such as Morgon to age and to become profound. So in 2013, Mee moved to Beaujolais after being given the opportunity of a lifetime to purchase an estate with vineyards in three of Morgon’s top locations: Côte du Py, Corcellete and Grand Cras.
The Estate
Since taking over the estate in 2013, Mee has worked her vineyards in “lutte raisonnée”, where treatments are used only when responding to disease threats. This process allowed her to convert the Domaine to organic farming slowly to avoid a shock to the vines. As a result, her entire holdings were fully converted to organic farming from 2017 onwards, this is reflected in the use of cover crops, mechanical tilling and judicious use of inputs to nurture the soils and old vines. Mee’s next goal in mind is a shift towards biodynamic practices.
Bringing a great bout of evolution to the Beaujolais region, Mee Godard has been making wines of great ageing potential full of structure and complexity previously lost among the hype of Nouveau Beaujolais. While the fruit elements are still important, Mee focuses more on the savouriness and tannic structure to allow for longevity. In order to achieve this style, the yields are low and about 60 to 70% of the bunch is used. The must is macerated for three weeks to infuse all the gorgeous attributes from the top class pedigree of her terroirs. Then ferments in concrete vats and matures for 12 to 18 months in oak barrels or oak vats to soften these powerful wines.
The Crus of Beaujolais
Mee Godard combines tradition and innovation to create wines that captivate the senses. Starting out with just four key Morgon plots, over time Mee has brought in additional vines from Moulin-a-Vent and Fleurie. The crus are the pillars of the Domaine and shine brightly within the Beaujolais region.
Morgon ‘Côte du Py’
The vineyard is located South of the town of Villié-Morgon on blue clay and volcanic soil.
Very violet and very mineral, this serious Cote du Py has all the depth and energy that we expect from this appellation. The really elegant medium-bodied palate has a pronounced mineral acidity, and the tannin structure builds to an imposing crescendo in the long, compact finish. A cuvee of four plots. Drink or hold. 96 points - James Suckling.
Morgon ‘Grand Cras’
The vineyard is located in the Southeast of the Côte de Py on alluvial, schist and granitic soils.
Welcome to the deep end of Morgon, where forest-berry aromas meet wet earth. Understated power and concentration are married to a certain austerity. The superfine tannins deftly carry the very long and refined finish. Drink or hold. 96 points - James Suckling.
Morgon ‘Corcelette’
The “Corcelette” vineyard is located at the Northwestern end of Morgon on sandy and granitic soils.
This starts quite gently and unspectacularly, but as it flows gracefully over your palate, it builds in expression and intensity. Though the striking blue-fruit aromas are still on the shy side due to the wine’s youth, the wet-stone minerality is very pronounced in the long, seriously structured finish. 95 points - James Suckling.
Morgon ‘Passerelle 577’
The "Passerelle 577" pays tribute to Mee's origins in South Korea and the country she now calls home: France. As for the number, it's nothing less than her lucky number. This cuvée is from a section of her vineyard where the berries are naturally smaller.
A giant of minerality and cool elegance in spite of its abundant power and compact tannic core. So much drive and density on the medium-bodied palate, also a wonderful freshness in the very long, seriously structured finish. Decades of aging potential ahead of it. Drinkable now but best from 2026. 97 points - James Suckling.
Moulin-à-Vent ‘Au Michelon’
The vineyard is located on the sandy soil in the commune of Chenas.
This great Moulin-a-Vent is as deep as it is elegant, with terrific rooty originality. It has impressive concentration, the expertly crafted tannins building beautifully in the long, crisp and complete finish. Drink or hold. 95 points - James Suckling.
So, who is Mee Godard?
Mee Godard is more than a talented winemaker. She is a true vigneron who tirelessly searches for new evolutions and a bold pioneer exploring the unique characteristics of the Morgon region. She is on a relentless quest for excellence, while respecting the terroir and forming wines of passionate depth.
Once a rising star, now a queen of the Beaujolais region, Mee Godard has since been awarded star of the year by the esteemed French magazine “Revue des Vins de France”.