Domaine du Collier

History of Domaine du Collier

Domaine du Collier finds its roots in a legendary winemaking lineage. Antoine Foucault, son of Charly Foucault and nephew of Nady Foucault, two iconic figures of Clos Rougeard, grew up surrounded by the richness of wine and family traditions. After four formative years working alongside his father and uncle, Antoine decided, together with Caroline Boireau, to strike out on his own by creating their own estate. In 1999, Domaine du Collier was born, named in tribute to the place du Collier, located in Antoine's home village.

The adventure begins with four hectares of leased vines; then in 2004, Antoine and Caroline acquired three additional hectares, including 1.5 hectares of century-old vines. Their desire to create something lasting and authentic led them to adopt organic farming practices very early on. Over the years, their efforts bore fruit, and the estate quickly became synonymous with wines of great purity and deep terroir expression. 

In less than two decades, the Foucault-Boireau couple has established itself as one of the finest producers in the region. Their wines, crafted with care in ancestral troglodyte cellars, are recognized for their finesse, complexity and remarkable aging ability. Critical recognition, notably from the Revue du Vin de France awarding three stars to the estate, testifies to the excellence achieved through their rigorous and passionate work.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine du Collier

Domaine du Collier benefits from an exceptional terroir, located primarily on the hillsides of Brézé, a place renowned for its rich and stony limestone soils. These terroirs, ideal for growing Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc, offer optimal conditions for producing complex and expressive wines. The estate today covers nearly 7 hectares of organically certified vines, two-thirds planted with Chenin Blanc and one-third with Cabernet Franc.

Chenin blanc, the king grape variety of the region, holds a predominant place within the estate. Certain parcels, such as "La Charpentrie", are home to century-old vines, some over 100 years old. These old vines, planted on clay-silica-limestone soils, confer remarkable concentration and inimitable minerality to the wines. The Cabernet Franc vines, for their part, are also cultivated using traditional and environmentally respectful methods. The parcels of "La Ripaille" and "La Charpentrie" yield red wines of impressive depth and structure.

Antoine Foucault's philosophy rests on a deep understanding of his terroirs. He firmly believes that each vine should be encouraged to develop its roots deeply into the tuffeau subsoil, thereby allowing a better expression of the unique characteristics of each parcel. This meticulous and soil-respectful work guarantees grapes of exceptional quality, capable of producing wines of rare aromatic and gustatory intensity.

Vinifications of Domaine du Collier

The winemaking process at Domaine du Collier is defined by an artisanal and minimalist approach. It all begins with a carefully performed manual harvest, followed by rigorous sorting of the grapes to select only the finest berries. Once harvested, the grapes are transported to the cellar where they undergo spontaneous fermentation thanks to indigenous yeasts naturally present on the berries. This method promotes a faithful expression of the terroirs and an incomparable authenticity.

For the white wines, after alcoholic fermentation, the musts are aged for 24 to 36 months in oak barrels, often in troglodyte cellars dating from the Middle Ages. These cellars, carved out of tuffeau, provide constant humidity and a cool temperature, ideal for slow and harmonious aging. The use of new and used barrels allows the structure of the wines to be subtly adjusted while respecting their natural character. No racking is carried out during this period, allowing the wines to develop undisturbed.

The red wines, for their part, receive similar treatment, adapted to their typicity. After extended maceration and malolactic fermentation in barrels, they are aged for 18 to 24 months before being bottled without filtration or fining. This respectful approach preserves all the freshness and complexity of the aromas, resulting in powerful yet always precise and elegant red wines.

The complete absence of added sulfur until bottling is another distinctive hallmark of Domaine du Collier. This bold practice enhances the digestibility of the wines while accentuating their aromatic purity. Every stage of the winemaking process is designed to fully express the potential of the terroirs and grape varieties used, resulting in wines of great finesse and extraordinary depth.

The Cuvées of Domaine du Collier

Saumur Blanc

This dry white wine, sourced from clay-limestone hillsides on a tuffeau substratum, represents the quintessence of the Chenins from Domaine du Collier. The vines, aged 18 to 70 years, produce concentrated and ripe grapes, fermented in oak barrels, partly new and partly one year old. Aged between 12 and 24 months, this wine presents a beautiful density of flavors and a persistent saline finish. Its aromas of quince, yellow fruits, apricot, flowers and roasted almond make it a fascinating and aromatic wine.

Saumur Blanc La Charpentrie

Sourced from a historic parcel of century-old vines, this cuvée is a tribute to the ancestral savoir-faire of the estate. Grown on clay-silica-limestone soils, these vines give birth to a wine of unparalleled depth and complexity. Aged for 24 to 36 months in barrels, it offers notes of exotic fruits, honey and wet stone, accompanied by a rich and velvety texture. An exceptional wine, destined to captivate lovers of great Chenins.

Saumur Rouge La Ripaille

Located in the commune of Brézé, this Cabernet Franc parcel aged 50 to 70 years yields a full-bodied and structured red wine. Fermented in new and one-year-old oak barrels, then aged for 18 to 24 months, this wine presents aromas of redcurrant, blueberry, blackcurrant and smoky nuances. Its lively acidity and dry character make it a dynamic and energetic wine, perfect to accompany gastronomic cuisine.

Saumur Rouge La Charpentrie

Sourced from the mythical parcel of La Charpentrie, this red wine is the fruit of century-old vines planted on clay-silica-limestone soils. Aged for 24 to 36 months in barrels, it offers a soft and silky texture, accompanied by a complex bouquet of dark fruits, damp earth and liquorice. A touch of almost wild austerity gives it a distinctive personality, evoking the greatest wines of the Saumurois.

Saumur-Champigny

Since the 2018 vintage, the estate has offered a new cuvée under the Saumur-Champigny appellation. Sourced from a half-hectare parcel, this red wine seduces from the moment it is opened with its blackcurrant aromas, its suppleness and its length. Aged for 18 to 24 months in barrels, it promises an interesting evolution in the years to come, notably with the addition of a further parcel located in the bas Poyeux.

Discover the viticultural treasures of Saumur by exploring exceptional estates! From Clos Rougeard, a true legend, to the refinement of Domaine des Roches Neuves, through the elegance of the wines of Guiberteau or Domaine du Collier, each vineyard reveals a unique expression of the terroir. Let yourself be seduced by the savoir-faire of Antoine Sanzay, the finesse of the cuvées of La Porte Saint Jean, or the authenticity of the Vieux Pressoir. An invitation to taste the excellence and diversity of the wines of Saumur!

Domaine du Collier embodies French viticultural excellence through its exceptional wines, produced with passion and respect for tradition. Thanks to a unique terroir, century-old vines and meticulous winemaking, each bottle tells a story of terroir and authenticity. Whether you are a lover of Chenin Blanc or Cabernet Franc, the cuvées of Domaine du Collier will delight you with their purity, complexity and ability to evolve over time.