Domaine du Collier

History of Domaine du Collier

Domaine du Collier has its roots in a legendary winemaking family. Antoine Foucault, son of Charly Foucault and nephew of Nady Foucault, two iconic figures at Clos Rougeard, grew up immersed in wine and family traditions. After four formative years working alongside his father and uncle, Antoine and Caroline Boireau decided to strike out on their own and establish an estate. Domaine du Collier was founded in 1999 and named in tribute to Place du Collier in Antoine’s home village.

The venture began with four hectares of leased vines. In 2004, Antoine and Caroline acquired another three hectares, including 1.5 hectares of century-old vines. Their desire to create something lasting and authentic led them to adopt organic farming practices early on. Over the years, their efforts bore fruit, and the estate quickly became known for wines of great purity and profound terroir expression. 

In less than two decades, the Foucault-Boireau couple established themselves among the region's finest producers. Their wines, carefully made in ancient cave cellars, are recognized for their finesse, complexity and remarkable aging potential. Critical acclaim, notably the three stars awarded to the estate by La Revue du Wine de France, attests to the excellence achieved through their rigorous, passionate work.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine du Collier

Domaine du Collier benefits from exceptional terroir, primarily on the slopes of Brézé, an area known for its rich, stony limestone soils. Ideal for growing Chenin White and Cabernet Franc, these terroirs provide excellent conditions for producing complex, expressive wines. Today, the estate encompasses nearly 7 hectares of certified organic vines, planted two-thirds to Chenin White and one-third to Cabernet Franc.

Chenin White, the region's signature grape, plays a leading role at the estate. Some parcels, such as "La Charpentrie", contain century-old vines, some more than 100 years old. These old vines, planted on clay, silica and limestone soils, give the wines remarkable concentration and an unmistakable minerality. The Cabernet Franc vines are likewise cultivated using traditional, environmentally responsible methods. The "La Ripaille" and "La Charpentrie" parcels produce red wines of impressive depth and structure.

Antoine Foucault’s philosophy rests on a deep understanding of his terroirs. He firmly believes each vine should be encouraged to send its roots deep into the tuffeau bedrock, allowing the distinctive characteristics of each parcel to find fuller expression. This meticulous, soil-conscious work yields grapes of exceptional quality, capable of producing wines of rare aromatic and flavor intensity.

Winemaking at Domaine du Collier

Winemaking at Domaine du Collier is defined by an artisanal, minimalist approach. It begins with careful hand harvesting, followed by rigorous grape sorting to select only the finest fruit. After harvest, the grapes are taken to the cellar, where they ferment spontaneously thanks to native yeasts naturally present on the berries. This method encourages a faithful expression of terroir and exceptional authenticity.

For the white wines, following alcoholic fermentation, the wines age for 24 to 36 months in oak barrels, often in cave cellars dating back to the Middle Ages. Carved into the tuffeau, these cellars provide constant humidity and cool temperatures, ideal for slow, harmonious aging. Using both new and used barrels allows the wines’ structure to be subtly adjusted while respecting their natural character. No racking takes place during this period, allowing the wines to develop undisturbed.

The red wines receive similar treatment, adapted to their character. After extended maceration and malolactic fermentation in barrel, they age for 18 to 24 months before being bottled without filtration or clarification. This careful approach preserves the freshness and complexity of their aromas, resulting in powerful yet precise and elegant reds.

The complete absence of added sulfur until bottling is another hallmark of Domaine du Collier. This bold practice makes the wines easier to drink while heightening their aromatic purity. Every step of winemaking is designed to fully express the potential of the terroirs and grape varieties, producing wines of great finesse and extraordinary depth.

The wines of Domaine du Collier

Saumur White

This dry white wine, from clay-limestone slopes over a layer of tuffeau, represents the quintessential Chenin of Domaine du Collier. Vines aged 18 to 70 years produce concentrated, ripe grapes, fermented in oak barrels, some new and some one year old. Aged for 12 to 24 months, the wine has impressive flavor density and a persistent saline finish. Aromas of quince, yellow fruit, apricot, flowers and toasted almond make it a fascinating, aromatic wine.

Saumur White La Charpentrie

From a historic parcel of century-old vines, this wine pays tribute to the estate’s time-honored expertise. Grown on clay, silica and limestone soils, these vines produce a wine of unparalleled depth and complexity. Aged in barrel for 24 to 36 months, it offers notes of exotic fruit, honey and wet stone, with a rich, velvety texture. An exceptional wine sure to appeal to lovers of great Chenin Blanc.

Saumur Red La Ripaille

Located in Brézé, this parcel of 50- to 70-year-old Cabernet Franc produces a fleshy, structured red wine. Fermented in new and one-year-old oak barrels, then aged for 18 to 24 months, it offers aromas of red currant, blueberry and blackcurrant, with smoky nuances. Its lively acidity and dry character make it a vibrant, energetic wine, ideal with fine cuisine.

Saumur Red La Charpentrie

From the storied La Charpentrie parcel, this red wine comes from century-old vines planted on clay, silica and limestone soils. Aged in barrel for 24 to 36 months, it has a soft, silky texture and a complex bouquet of dark fruit, damp earth and licorice. A touch of almost wild austerity gives it a distinctive personality reminiscent of the finest wines of the Saumur region.

Saumur-Champigny

Since the 2018 vintage, the estate has offered a new Saumur-Champigny wine. From a half-hectare parcel, this red appeals from the moment it is opened, with blackcurrant aromas, a smooth texture and a long finish. Aged in barrel for 18 to 24 months, it promises to develop interestingly in the years ahead, particularly with the addition of another parcel in the lower Poyeux area.

Discover the wine treasures of Saumur by exploring its exceptional estates! From the legendary Clos Rougeard to the refinement of Domaine des Roches Neuves, and the elegance of wines from Guiberteau or Domaine du Collier, each estate reveals a distinctive expression of terroir. Let yourself be won over by the craftsmanship of Antoine Sanzay, the finesse of the wines from La Porte Saint Jean, or the authenticity of Vieux Pressoir. An invitation to savor the excellence and diversity of Saumur wines!

Domaine du Collier embodies French winemaking excellence through exceptional wines made with passion and respect for tradition. Thanks to a distinctive terroir, century-old vines and meticulous winemaking, each bottle tells a story of place and authenticity. Whether you favor Chenin White or Cabernet Franc, Domaine du Collier's wines will captivate you with their purity, complexity and ability to evolve over time.