Axel Heinz was born in Munich on 19 November 1971 and has a French-German nationality. In 1994, he moved to Bordeaux, France and worked as an apprentice winemaker with several regional wineries.

In 1995, he received a degree in higher agricultural technology from the BTSA and a diploma as Viticulturist Oenologist from the Lycée d’Enseignement Général et Technologique Agricole (LEGTA) in Bordeaux. He also began studying for a Master in Agronomy at the Ecole Nationale d’Ingénieurs des Travaux Agricoles.


In the years of his studies he collaborated with several wineries in Limoux (France), on the vinifcation of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and in Bordeaux. In 2001 he was employed as director of production at Château Fourcas Loubaney (Listrac), Château la Dominique (Saint-Emilion) and Château la Commanderie de Mazeyres (Pomerol).

In January 2005 he was hired as winemaker at the Tenuta dell’Ornellaia (Bolgheri).