Domaine aux Moines

History of Domaine aux Moines  

The history of Domaine aux Moines has its roots in the 12th century, when the monks of the Abbey of Saint Nicolas d'Angers planted the first vines on the slopes of the Roche aux Moines. These lands, already recognised for their potential, benefit from an ideal exposure and a schist soil conducive to Chenin Blanc. After centuries of evolution, marked by sales as national property during the Revolution and a period in the hands of figures such as Mr. Benz, the famous automobile industrialist, the estate found new life in 1981. It was that year that Monique Laroche, a woman of character and vision, repurchased the property with her family. At the time, the vineyard covered only 4 hectares, but Monique undertook an ambitious expansion project by incorporating the iconic Roche aux Moines plot and replanting new vines while preserving the old stocks.  

In 2001, her daughter Tessa joined the venture after training in viticulture across various French regions, notably in Reims. Together, they modernised the estate while honouring its heritage. In 2006, they recruited a team and initiated a transition towards organic farming, formalised by an Ecocert certification in 2011. Biodynamics made its appearance in 2017, reinforcing their commitment to sustainable viticulture. Unfortunately, Monique Laroche passed away in 2020, leaving Tessa at the helm. Driven by the same passion, she has propelled Domaine aux Moines among the rising stars of the Loire, while maintaining a humble and natural approach. Today, this family estate is celebrated for its crystalline wines and its ability to reveal the potential of Chenin Blanc on an exceptional terroir.  

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine aux Moines  

Domaine aux Moines extends over 12 hectares within the Savennières Roche aux Moines appellation, a prestigious sub-appellation of only 22 hectares in total. Perched on the slopes of the Roche aux Moines, on the right bank of the Loire and to the south of Angers, the vineyard benefits from a unique microclimate and an ideal south/south-west exposure for the ripening of Chenin Blanc, the estate's exclusive grape variety. The soils, composed of sandy schist, rhyolite and volcanic rock, lend the wines a vibrant minerality and a remarkable structure. These low-yielding lands, with yields limited to 20–30 hl/ha, favour an exceptional concentration of aromas and a pure expression of the terroir.  

Surrounded by a walled park, the vineyard integrates fruit trees and practices agroforestry, reinforcing biodiversity and ecological balance. Tessa Laroche ensures the longevity of the vines by progressively replanting with mass selections drawn from the highest-quality plants. Certified organic since 2011 and influenced by biodynamics, the vines are cultivated without chemical products, in a logic of soil respect and sustainability. Every decision, from ploughing to treatments, is based on careful observation of natural cycles, far from any systematic approach. This deep connection with nature makes Domaine aux Moines a model of reasoned viticulture and an ambassador of the Loire terroir.  

Winemaking at Domaine aux Moines  

At Domaine aux Moines, winemaking is an art that combines tradition and precision. Everything begins with manual harvesting, carried out in crates over several sorting passes (5 to 6), to select only perfectly ripe berries. This rigorous sorting in the vineyard guarantees a healthy, high-quality raw material. Once harvested, the grapes are delicately pressed in a pneumatic press, allowing for a gentle and controlled pressing. The musts, of great finesse, are then placed in stainless steel tanks to begin their fermentation with indigenous yeasts, thus preserving the authenticity of the terroir.  

Depending on the cuvées, ageing takes a different course. A portion of the wines is vinified and aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and vivacity, while the majority rests in barrels (220 or 400 litres) and large casks for 12 to 18 months. This ageing on lees, often accompanied by complete malolactic fermentation, brings roundness and complexity to the wines. No chemical additives or superfluous sulphites are added, apart from a slight dose at the time of bottling, carried out at the estate after careful final blending. This artisanal process, imbued with love and attention, gives rise to dry white wines of a radiant purity, built for ageing or to be savoured in their youth.  

The Cuvées of Domaine aux Moines  

Domaine aux Moines offers two emblematic cuvées, both sourced from Chenin Blanc and the terroir of Roche aux Moines. These organic wines, bottled at the estate, captivate with their elegance and their ability to reflect their origin.  

Le Berceau des Fées  

Sourced from young vines less than 10 years old (2 hectares), planted between 2017 and 2019, Le Berceau des Fées is a wine of pleasure — lively and approachable. Harvested by hand, slowly pressed and vinified entirely in stainless steel tanks for 9 months with indigenous yeasts, it reveals a fresh nose with aromas of white fruits (apple, pear) and a herbaceous touch. On the palate, this crystalline and ample Chenin offers pure energy and a subtle minerality, perfect for immediate drinking. Classified as Vin de France due to its short ageing, it nonetheless remains an ambassador of Tessa Laroche's expertise, with a still-promising potential for development.  

Domaine aux Moines Savennières Roche aux Moines  

The signature cuvée, Domaine aux Moines Savennières Roche aux Moines, is crafted from vines with an average age of 45 years (10 hectares). Harvested manually over several sorting passes, it benefits from slow pressing and fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Vinified in barrels and large casks for 12 months, then blended and aged in bulk for an additional 6 months, it reaches a total ageing of 18 months. On the nose, it seduces with intense floral notes (white flowers, acacia) and fruity notes (yellow fruits, candied with time). On the palate, this gastronomic wine reveals a noble tension, a vibrant minerality and a remarkable density, with an ample and complex finish. Praised by critics (94/100 RVF, 96/100 Bettane+Desseauve), it is built to age for more than 20 years, offering an experience that evolves magnificently over time.  

If you have been captivated by the crystalline wines of Domaine aux Moines, where Tessa Laroche magnifies the Chenin on the schist soils of Roche-aux-Moines, allow yourself to explore other jewels of Savennières. Discover the finesse of the cuvées from Damien Laureau, or the emblematic biodynamic approach of Nicolas Joly at Château de la Roche-aux-Moines. Do not miss the precise creations of Pierre Bise, the innovative spirit of Terra Vita Vinum, nor the sublime expressions of Chenin signed by Thibaud Boudignon. Each estate reveals a unique facet of this exceptional terroir, a promise of unforgettable discoveries for lovers of great Loire wines.

Le Domaine aux Moines, located in Savennières in the Loire Valley, is much more than a vineyard: it is a family story, an ecological commitment, and a celebration of Chenin Blanc. From its founding by Monique Laroche in 1981 to its current prominence under the direction of Tessa, this 12-hectare estate has established itself as a reference in the Savennières Roche aux Moines appellation. Thanks to an exceptional schist terroir, organic and biodynamic viticulture, and careful winemaking, its wines — Le Berceau des Fées and the Savennières Roche aux Moines — captivate with their purity, minerality, and aging potential.