Vincent Pinard

History of Domaine Vincent Pinard  

The history of Domaine Vincent Pinard is deeply rooted 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 practiced polyculture, with about 3 hectares of vines and a small production of Crottin de Chavignol. In 1945, his son Charles took over the estate, then devastated by World War II. Despite the difficulties, Charles managed to revive the business and delivered his wines in barrels to Paris in the 1960s.  

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

Their philosophy? Combining tradition and innovation to produce wines that express the quintessence of Bué soils. Organic since 2001 and biodynamic since 2016, Domaine Vincent Pinard is a model of sustainable and environmentally respectful agriculture.

Domaine Vincent Pinard's Terroirs and Vineyards  

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 marls and silicas. These terroirs give the wines remarkable minerality, complexity and length on the palate.  

The vines, mostly aged 35 to 50 years, are cultivated with care and precision. Planting density varies between 7,000 and 10,000 vines per hectare, ensuring low yields and high-quality grapes. The most emblematic parcels include:  

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

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

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

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

Cultural practices are rigorous: natural grassing, manual harvest in small crates, and minimized treatments based on copper and sulfur. Since 2018, the estate has also been experimenting with biodynamics, further strengthening the link between the vine and its environment.

Domaine Vincent Pinard's Vinifications  

Vinification at Domaine Vincent Pinard is a skillful blend of tradition and modernity. The grapes, harvested by hand, are carefully sorted before being gently pressed to preserve their integrity. Fermentations are carried out with indigenous yeasts, selected and cultivated by the estate, in order to enhance the expression of the terroirs.  

For white wines, aging is done mainly in demi-muids and French oak barrels, without new wood, to preserve the purity of the fruit. Red wines, on the other hand, are vinified with few interventions: long macerations, limited punch-downs and aging in barrels of different formats (pièces, demi-muids).  

The estate also stands out for its minimal use of sulfur, transformed from natural volcanic sulfur. This gentle and respectful approach allows the production of wines of great finesse, perfectly reflecting the characteristics of each terroir.

Domaine Vincent Pinard's Cuvées  

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

Sancerre Blanc

"Florès": From the youngest vines (over 40 years old), this wine is a classic of the estate. Aged in large oak barrels, it combines freshness, minerality and complexity.  

"Nuance": An aromatic and expressive cuvée, aged in tanks and barrels for perfect balance between fruit and minerality.  

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

"Petit Chemarin": From Kimmeridgian soil, this wine is distinguished by its tension and chalky minerality.  

"Grand Chemarin": A powerful and 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": From old vines planted on Oxfordian soil, this wine is of great depth and striking minerality.  

Sancerre Rouge

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

"Charlouise": From old vines over 50 years old, this wine is aged 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, aged in demi-muids for a velvety texture.  

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

Sancerre abounds with wine talents, and while the names of Alphonse Mellot, Didier Dagueneau, Edmond Vatan or even François and Pascal Cotat already resonate as references, there are many other estates worth discovering. Passionate winemakers, such as those from Vacheron estate, Vincent Gaudry or Vincent Pinard, perpetuate the excellence and authenticity of Sancerre wines. But the richness of the appellation doesn't stop there: other estates, sometimes more confidential, reveal unique expressions of the terroir.

Domaine Vincent Pinard embodies the excellence of Sancerre, combining family tradition, respect for terroirs and technical innovation. Each cuvée, whether white, red or rosé, reflects the passion and expertise of the Pinard brothers, who are committed to producing wines of rare purity and complexity.