Domaine du Collier

History of Domaine du Collier

Domaine du Collier has 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 homage 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 acquire a further 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 very early on. Over the years, their efforts bore fruit, and the estate rapidly became synonymous with wines of great purity and deep terroir expression. 

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

Terroirs and Vines 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 now 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 plots, such as "La Charpentrie", are home to century-old vines, some over 100 years old. These old vines, planted on clay-silica-limestone soils, impart a remarkable concentration and an inimitable minerality to the wines. The cabernet franc vines, for their part, are also cultivated using traditional methods that respect the environment. The plots of "La Ripaille" and "La Charpentrie" yield red wines of impressive depth and structure.

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

Vinifications at Domaine du Collier

The winemaking process at Domaine du Collier is marked by an artisanal and minimalist approach. It all begins with a carefully conducted manual harvest, followed by rigorous sorting of the grapes to select only the finest. Once harvested, the grapes are transported to the cellar where they undergo spontaneous fermentation using 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 into the tufa, offer constant humidity and a cool temperature, ideal for slow and harmonious ageing. 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 without disturbance.

The red wines, for their part, benefit from a similar treatment, but 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 sulphur 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, from clay-limestone hillsides on a tufa subsoil, 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 fine density of flavours and a persistent saline finish. Its aromas of quince, yellow fruits, apricot, flowers and toasted almond make it a fascinating and aromatic wine.

Saumur Blanc La Charpentrie

From a historic plot of century-old vines, this cuvée is a tribute to the estate's ancestral expertise. 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 Chenin Blancs.

Saumur Rouge La Ripaille

Located in the commune of Brézé, this plot of cabernet franc aged 50 to 70 years produces 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 fine cuisine.

Saumur Rouge La Charpentrie

From the mythical plot 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 black fruits, damp earth and liquorice. A touch of almost wild austerity gives it a distinctive character, reminiscent of the greatest wines of the Saumurois.

Saumur-Champigny

Since the 2018 vintage, the estate has been offering a new cuvée with the Saumur-Champigny appellation. From a half-hectare plot, this red wine captivates from the moment it is opened with its aromas of blackcurrant, its smoothness and its length. Aged for 18 to 24 months in barrels, it promises an interesting evolution in the years to come, particularly with the addition of a further plot located in the lower 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. Be captivated by the expertise of Antoine Sanzay, the finesse of the cuvées of La Porte Saint Jean, or the authenticity of Vieux Pressoir. An invitation to savour 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 capacity to evolve over time.