La Grange Tiphaine

History of Domaine La Grange Tiphaine

The estate’s history dates back to the late 19th century, when the Delecheneau family settled in Touraine. As early as 1941—remarkably for the time—the estate bottled its entire production itself. Mixed farming continued until the late 1970s, when Jackie Delecheneau took the reins and gradually replanted with higher-quality grape varieties. His son Damien, together with his partner Coralie, produced the first vintage of a new chapter in the estate’s history in 2002. The two oenologists met while studying for France’s National Diploma in Oenology in Bordeaux. Before settling in Amboise, both broadened their training around the world: Coralie worked with an organic importer in the United States, the Beaujolais wine trade organization, Cain Vineyard in California, and in South Africa; Damien also gained international experience. Their shared global perspective greatly enriches their approach to Loire terroirs.

After returning to Amboise in 2002, Coralie initially chose to work at the Amboise wine school before officially joining the estate in 2008, when she created the Quatre Mains cuvée to mark their collaboration. The estate adopted biodynamics in 2011, committing fully to it with a deep conviction that grape quality depends directly on the health of the soil. Farmed to exacting standards, the vineyard now covers 15 hectares across 50 plots. The Delecheneau family is also passionate about classical music: parents and children all play an instrument, a passion reflected in the poetic names of their cuvées.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine La Grange Tiphaine

La Grange Tiphaine’s vineyards span three appellations: Montlouis-sur-Loire, the main source of its white Chenin; Touraine-Amboise, for white Chenin and red varieties; and Touraine, for Sauvignon and blends. Montlouis terroirs are predominantly limestone and clay-and-silica, with flint and flinty clay soils that give the Chenins deep minerality and excellent aging potential. The Amboise area has limestone terroirs influenced by tuffeau limestone and silica, ideal for producing focused, fruity white Chenins and elegant reds. Some plots have pure flint soils, including those dedicated to the Sauvignon in the Quatre Mains cuvée.

The estate’s most distinctive feature is its plots of very old vines: century-old Chenin and Côt vines, some more than 100 years old, that produce grapes of exceptional concentration and complexity. All 50 plots are farmed biodynamically, using biodynamic preparations and herbal teas, with constant attention to lunar cycles in both vineyard work and winemaking. Grapes are harvested by hand, and those for the reds pass over a sorting table.

Winemaking at Domaine La Grange Tiphaine

Coralie and Damien’s approach in the cellar reflects their belief that "the winemaker is only an interpreter of a score written by nature". They handle the juice with care, allowing winemaking to unfold naturally. Fermentation begins with native yeasts, and the wines are aged in concrete tanks, large oak casks, or amphorae according to the needs of each plot and cuvée. The cellar is arranged across several levels to make use of gravity and avoid pumping, which oxidizes and damages the wines. Sulfur is used sparingly and judiciously, without other additives or interventionist winemaking techniques.

Pressing is slow and pneumatic. For the whites, the juice settles overnight in concrete tanks before fermentation. Aging varies by cuvée: from five months on the lees in tanks for Bel Air and Trinqu'âmes to 18 months in large oak casks for Les Épinays, with the red Clef de Sol cuvées aged in barrels. The pét-nats are bottled before fermentation is complete, with nothing added. The same care goes into every cuvée, whether a négociant wine like Trinqu'âmes or a top single-plot cuvée like Les Épinays.

The Cuvées of Domaine La Grange Tiphaine

Les Épinays (Montlouis-sur-Loire): The estate’s flagship single-plot dry Chenin Blanc cuvée, one of Damien’s "crowns" according to his importers. A gentle, complex nose of pear juice, blond tobacco, gingerbread, and apricot opens with air to reveal apricot, grapefruit, and rose. Immediately balanced on the palate, with a texture reminiscent of very ripe fruit, minerality, and a long, fresh finish. Aged for 18 months in large oak casks. Aging potential of up to 10 years. A food-friendly wine suited to white meats, fish, and cheese.

Nouveau Nez (Montlouis-sur-Loire): A Chenin Blanc pét-nat, a "return to our roots to create natural bubbles, without artifice, using only the grapes’ sugars". The estate’s original sparkling wine, from the Montlouis-sur-Loire appellation, is the purest expression of its origins. Fine bubbles, a fruity and floral nose, and a fresh, slightly mineral palate. Ideal as an aperitif or with fish or poultry. Aging potential of 3 to 5 years.

Clef de Sol Blanc (Montlouis-sur-Loire): The estate’s signature dry Chenin Blanc cuvée, a "tribute to this grape-and-terroir pairing, capable of taking us toward mineral purity". A direct, precise expression of Montlouis soils, with aromas of lemon and white flowers and crystalline minerality. A taut, focused, saline palate with a long finish. For many enthusiasts, the "key" to discovering the world of Grange Tiphaine. Aging potential of 5 to 10 years.

Les Grenouillères (Montlouis-sur-Loire): A Chenin Blanc cuvée from a specific Montlouis plot, dry or off-dry depending on the vintage. Aromas of white-fleshed fruit, flowers, and chalk; a balanced, fresh palate with the mineral tension typical of the appellation’s fine limestone-and-silica terroirs.

L'Équilibriste (Montlouis-sur-Loire): A Chenin Blanc cuvée in a medium-sweet or gently sweet style, made from selected overripe grapes. A subtle balance of natural sweetness and acidity, with aromas of candied fruit, honey, and flowers. A richly sweet Montlouis of great finesse.

Bel Air (Touraine-Amboise White): A dry Chenin Blanc cuvée from Touraine-Amboise, defined by "freshness, tension, and limestone". Made with slow, whole-cluster pressing and aged for five months on fine lees in tanks. An appealing Chenin nose with notes of citrus and white fruit. A generous, supple palate lifted by lively freshness. An expression of Amboise terroir through a fruity, inviting, approachable wine. Enjoy as an aperitif or with a light meal.

Quatre Mains (Touraine): A limited-production Sauvignon Blanc cuvée from a flint terroir in Touraine, created by Coralie in 2008 when she officially joined the estate. "When Sauvignon meets a flint terroir like the one in Amboise, you know a fine wine can be born." A distinctive, elegant wine expressing the harmony between the grape variety and its ideal terroir, with aromas of white flowers, citrus, and flint. Can be aged for 5 to 10 years.

Ad Libitum (Touraine): A Touraine cuvée made from Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon, depending on the vintage, in a free-spirited, expressive style. "Ad libitum" (Latin for “at will”) reflects the couple’s creative freedom in this more relaxed cuvée. A fruity, inviting wine to drink while young.

Trinqu'âmes (Touraine): A négociant Chenin Blanc cuvée, the estate’s entry-level white, made with the same care as its top cuvées. With a name that evokes conviviality, this approachable, fruity Chenin is perfect for sharing with friends. Vinified in concrete tanks and aged briefly on the lees.

Côt Vieilles Vignes (Touraine-Amboise Red): A red cuvée from century-old Côt (Malbec) vines in one of the estate’s most prized plots. This red expresses the depth, purity of fruit, and rich juice that only century-old vines can offer. Aromas of dark fruit and spice, with distinctive limestone minerality. A full-bodied wine with aging potential. Worth discovering in the best vintages.

Clef de Sol Rouge (Touraine-Amboise Red): The estate’s top red cuvée, a blend of Côt and Cabernet Franc, "built to age through maturation entirely in barrels". A complex, structured red that takes the expression of Amboise terroir further. Aromas of dark fruit, spice, and well-integrated oak; a full, fleshy palate with pronounced yet silky tannins and a long limestone-inflected finish. Aging potential of 5 to 10 years. Ideal with slow-cooked dishes or roasted meats.

Bécarre (Touraine-Amboise Red): A Touraine-Amboise red cuvée made from Côt, Cabernet Franc, or Gamay, depending on the vintage, in a lighter, more approachable style than Clef de Sol Rouge. The natural sign—a musical symbol that cancels a flat or sharp—reflects this cuvée’s more direct, straightforward character. A fruity, juicy red to drink within its first few years.

Tournage Riant (Touraine Red): A Touraine red cuvée made from Gamay or a blend, in a light, festive style meant to be enjoyed young. Aromas of fresh red berries and a supple, refreshing palate. The estate’s red for immediate enjoyment and sharing.

Les Ormeaux (Touraine-Amboise Red): A red cuvée from a specific plot in the Amboise vineyards, made from Côt or Cabernet Franc. A single-plot expression of the Touraine-Amboise appellation, with fruity aromas and an elegant structure in La Grange Tiphaine’s precise, finely etched style.

Violetta (Touraine-Amboise Red): A limited-production red cuvée made from Côt or Cabernet Franc grown on a particular plot. A nose of violets and red fruit, with a delicate, floral palate and distinctive aromatic finesse. A charming, seductive red in a more ethereal style than Clef de Sol.

Rosa, Rosé, Rosam (Touraine Rosé): A dry rosé cuvée made from the vineyard’s red grape varieties and vinified by direct pressing. Pale pink in color, with a nose of red berries and flowers and a fresh, refreshing palate. The name is Latin wordplay evoking the rose through its grammatical forms, in keeping with the estate’s poetic, literary spirit.