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 from Clos Rougeard, grew up surrounded by the richness of wine and family traditions. After four formative years alongside his father and uncle, Antoine decided, together with Caroline Boireau, to spread his own wings by creating their own estate. In 1999, Domaine du Collier was born, named in homage to Place du Collier, located in Antoine's home village.

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

In less than two decades, the Foucault-Boireau couple has established itself as one of the best producers in the region. Their wines, carefully crafted in ancestral troglodytic cellars, are recognized for their finesse, complexity and ability to age admirably well. Critical recognition, notably by 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, mainly located on the hillsides of Brézé, a place renowned for its rich and stony limestone soils. These terroirs, ideal for cultivating chenin blanc and cabernet franc, offer optimal conditions for producing complex and expressive wines. The estate now covers nearly 7 hectares of certified organic vines, two-thirds planted with chenin blanc and one-third with cabernet franc.

Chenin blanc, the king grape variety of the region, occupies a predominant place within the estate. Certain parcels, such as "La Charpentrie", house century-old vines, some over 100 years old. These old vines, planted on clay-silica-limestone soils, give the wines remarkable concentration and inimitable minerality. The cabernet franc vines, meanwhile, are also cultivated using traditional and environmentally friendly methods. The parcels of "La Ripaille" and "La Charpentrie" offer red wines of impressive depth and structure.

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

Winemaking at Domaine du Collier

The winemaking process at Domaine du Collier is marked by an artisanal and minimalist approach. Everything begins with carefully executed manual harvesting, 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 using indigenous yeasts naturally present on the berries. This method promotes faithful expression of the terroirs and incomparable authenticity.

For white wines, after alcoholic fermentation, the musts are aged for 24 to 36 months in oak barrels, often in troglodytic cellars dating from the Middle Ages. These cellars, carved into tuffeau limestone, offer constant humidity and cool temperatures, ideal for slow and harmonious aging. The use of new and used barrels allows for subtle adjustment of the wine structure while respecting their natural character. No racking is carried out during this period, thus allowing the wines to develop without disruption.

Red wines, meanwhile, benefit from 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 clarification. This respectful approach preserves all the freshness and complexity of the aromas, resulting in powerful red wines that are always precise and elegant.

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

The Cuvées of Domaine du Collier

Saumur Blanc

This dry white wine, from clay-limestone hillsides on a tuffeau limestone subsoil, represents the quintessence of chenins from Domaine du Collier. 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 toasted almond make it a fascinating and aromatic wine.

Saumur Blanc La Charpentrie

Born from a historic parcel of century-old vines, this cuvée is a tribute to the ancestral know-how of the estate. Cultivated on clay-silica-limestone soils, these vines give birth to a wine of unparalleled depth and complexity. Aged for 24 to 36 months in oak barrels, it offers notes of exotic fruits, honey and wet stone, accompanied by a rich and velvety texture. An exceptional wine, designed to seduce lovers of great chenins.

Saumur Rouge La Ripaille

Located in the commune of Brézé, this parcel of cabernet franc aged 50 to 70 years delivers a fleshy 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 for accompanying gourmet cuisine.

Saumur Rouge La Charpentrie

From the legendary 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 black fruits, damp earth and licorice. A touch of almost wild austerity gives it a marked personality, reminiscent of the greatest wines of Saumur.

Saumur-Champigny

Since the 2018 vintage, the estate has offered a new cuvée of Saumur-Champigny appellation. From a half-hectare parcel, this red wine seduces from the opening with its aromas of blackcurrant, its smoothness and its length. Aged for 18 to 24 months in barrels, it promises interesting evolution in the years to come, particularly with the addition of an additional parcel located in the lower Poyeux.

Discover the wine treasures of Saumur by exploring exceptional estates! From Clos Rougeard, a true legend, to the refinement of Domaine des Roches Neuves, passing 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 expertise of Antoine Sanzay, the finesse of the cuvées from La Porte Saint Jean, or the authenticity of Vieux Pressoir. An invitation to taste the excellence and diversity of Saumur wines!

Domaine du Collier embodies French winemaking excellence through its exceptional wines, produced with passion and respect for traditions. 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 amaze you with their purity, complexity and ability to evolve over time.