Vineyard: blend of different sites in Dissay-sous-Courcillon. Vines aged 50 – 115 years, grown on silex, clay, and limestone

Cellar: The grapes, after being harvested and selected by hand, are gently foot-stomped and macerated for 4 weeks in large conical oak vats (cuve tronconique). The fermentation happens naturally and is followed by 12 – 24 months of aging on lees, in 600-liter oak barrels (demi-muids). Bottled without fining, filtration, or sulfur addition.

Renaud Guettier is a farmer who started the La Grapperie winery in 2004 with very little previous winemaking experience. Today, he works a bit more than 4 hectares of vines; everything is farmed according to organic principles and harvested by hand. Renaud was the first in the Coteaux de Loir AOC to plow his vineyards with a horse—he spends countless, meticulous hours in his vineyards. His vines are spread over 15 tiny plots that sustain a diversity of microclimates along the left bank of the Loire River. These plots enable Renaud to create a spectacular balance with his wines. The majority of his vines are Pineau d’Aunis, however, he also grows some Malbec (Côt), Gamay, Grolleau, and Chenin Blanc. Renaud’s wines are some of the most impressive and powerful being crafted in the Loire.