Vincent Pinard

History of Domaine Vincent Pinard

The history of Domaine Vincent Pinard has its roots in the village of Bué, where the Pinard family has been established for over 20 generations. At the beginning of the 20th century, Armand Pinard practised mixed farming, with around 3 hectares of vines and a small production of crottin de Chavignol. In 1945, his son Charles took over the estate, which had been devastated by the Second World War. Despite the difficulties, Charles managed to get the business back on track, delivering his wines in barrels to Paris in the 1960s.

Vincent Pinard, Charles' son, took over the reins of the estate in the early 1970s. Passionate about winegrowing, he gradually expanded the vineyard from 12 hectares in the 1980s to 15 hectares in the 2000s. Today, the estate covers 17 hectares, including 12.5 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc and 4.5 hectares of Pinot Noir. Brothers Florent and Clément Pinard, representing the 20th generation, now run the estate with the same passion and commitment to quality and respect for the terroirs.

Their philosophy? To combine tradition and innovation to produce wines that express the quintessence of the Bué soils. Organic since 2001 and biodynamic since 2016, the Vincent Pinard estate is a model of sustainable agriculture that respects the environment.

Terroirs and vines of Domaine Vincent Pinard

Domaine Vincent Pinard benefits from exceptional terroirs, located on the hills of Bué, just 3 km from Sancerre. The soils, mainly limestone and clay-limestone, offer unique geological diversity, with subsoils composed of caillottes (small limestone pebbles), Kimmeridgian marl and silica. These terroirs give the wines remarkable minerality, complexity and length on the palate.

The vines, most of which are between 35 and 50 years old, are cultivated with care and precision. Planting density varies between 7,000 and 10,000 vines per hectare, guaranteeing low yields and high-quality grapes. The most emblematic plots include:

- Petit Chemarin: a Kimmeridgian soil facing west, producing taut, mineral wines.

- Grand Chemarin: a south-facing Kimmeridgian and Oxfordian terroir, producing powerful, complex wines.

- Le Château: a south-facing Kimmeridgian parcel, planted in 1968.

- Chêne Marchand: south-facing Oxfordian soil, with vines planted between 1959 and 1964.

The vineyard practices are rigorous: natural grassing, manual harvesting in small crates, and minimal copper- and sulphur-based treatments. Since 2018, the estate has also been experimenting with biodynamic viticulture, further strengthening the link between the vines and their environment.

Vinification at Domaine Vincent Pinard

Vinification at Domaine Vincent Pinard is a skilful blend of tradition and modernity. The hand-picked grapes are carefully sorted before being gently pressed to preserve their integrity. Fermentation is carried out using indigenous yeasts, selected and cultivated by the estate, to enhance the expression of the terroirs.

The white wines are matured mainly in demi-muids and French oak barrels, without new wood, to preserve the purity of the fruit. As for the red wines, they are vinified with very little intervention: long macerations, limited punching down and ageing in barrels of various sizes (single or half-muids).

The estate also stands out for its minimal use of sulphur, processed from natural volcanic sulphur. This gentle, respectful approach produces wines of great finesse, perfectly reflecting the characteristics of each terroir.

The Domaine Vincent Pinard wines

Domaine Vincent Pinard offers a range of white, red and rosé wines, each expressing the unique character of the Bué terroirs. Here are the estate's emblematic cuvées:

Sancerre Blanc

"Florès": Made from the youngest vines (over 40 years old), this wine is one of the estate's classics. Aged in large oak barrels, it combines freshness, minerality and complexity.

"Nuance": An aromatic, expressive cuvée, matured in vats and barrels for a perfect balance of fruit and minerality.

"Harmonie": A blend of Grand Chemarin and Petit Chemarin parcels, this wine is a model of balance and finesse.

"Petit Chemarin": Produced from Kimmeridgian soil, this wine stands out for its tension and chalky minerality.

"Grand Chemarin": A powerful, complex wine, reflecting the richness of the Kimmeridgian terroir.

"Le Château": Aged in barrels, this wine offers a rich texture and exceptional length on the palate.

"Chêne Marchand": Made from old vines planted in Oxfordian soil, this wine has great depth and a striking minerality.

Sancerre Rouge

"Pinot Noir": A fruity, elegant wine, matured in barrels for a silky texture.

"Charlouise": Made from vines over 50 years old, this wine is matured for 18 months in new and old barrels.

"Vendanges Entières": Vinified with 100% whole grapes, this wine offers superior richness and complexity.

"Narpi": A rare and expressive cuvée, matured in demi-muids for a velvety texture.

Sancerre Rosé : A fresh, delicate rosé, perfect for aperitifs or summer meals.

Sancerre is bursting with winemaking talent, and while the names Alphonse Mellot, Didier Dagueneau, Edmond Vatan and François and Pascal Cotat are already household names, there are many other estates worth discovering. Passionate winemakers such as Domaine Vacheron, Vincent Gaudry and Vincent Pinard are perpetuating the excellence and authenticity of Sancerre wines. But the richness of the appellation does not stop there: other estates, sometimes more confidential, reveal unique expressions of the terroir.

Domaine Vincent Pinard embodies the excellence of the Sancerrois region, combining family tradition, respect for the terroir and technical innovation. Each cuvée, whether white, red or rosé, reflects the passion and expertise of the Pinard brothers, who strive to produce wines of rare purity and complexity.