Domaine 7

History of Domaine 7

The story of Domaine 7 is above all that of a late vocation, born at the crossroads of a passion for wine and an opportunity seized with boldness. Abel Benmaamar first built his life far from the vines, spending more than a decade in the railway industry. It was during a decisive encounter that a friend offered to sell him his vines. Surprised by this proposal, he initially refused, but the idea took root. In 2016, he took the plunge: he began BPREA viticulture-oenology training in Mâcon and went to enrich his experience with several reference winemakers, notably in Beaujolais at Domaine Thillardon and in the Loire with Patrick Corbineau.

In 2018, a decisive meeting with Julien Delrieu, a talented young winemaker from Anjou, offered him the opportunity to take over some vines from a group of winegrowers. This is how Domaine 7 was born, whose name is as sober as it is symbolic, the number that, for Abel Benmaamar, summarizes the essence of a project: seven letters, one identity, one ambition. The estate finds itself in an area closely watched by natural wine enthusiasts, in the wake of winemakers like Stéphane Bernaudeau, a parcel neighbor. Since its creation, Domaine 7 has established itself as a Loire gem to follow very closely.

Domaine 7 Terroirs and Vineyards

Domaine 7's vineyards are located in the commune of Martigné-Briand, in the Aubance sector, within the Anjou appellation. This Angevin territory is distinguished by its schist and sandstone soils, typical of the Armorican Massif, which give the wines characteristic minerality and great tension. These metamorphic rocks, often emerging at just 40 centimeters depth, force the roots to plunge deep to find water and nutrients, giving birth to wines of remarkable aromatic concentration and beautiful natural freshness.

Among the estate's flagship lieux-dits, La Guimardière holds a very special place: this is where Abel Benmaamar lives, on a hillside facing the Layon. This forty-year-old Chenin parcel benefits from ideal exposure and pure schist terroir that gives the wine remarkable tension and minerality. A hundred meters away as the crow flies, on the other side of the Layon, lies the famous lieu-dit "Les Onglés," made famous by Stéphane Bernaudeau. The Pont Bourceau lieu-dit, meanwhile, hosts the Cabernet Franc vines destined for the Plume cuvée, on a magnificent south-facing hillside, also turned toward the Layon. Across the entire estate, the 4 hectares of vines are managed in certified organic agriculture, following principles of common farming sense: respect for biodiversity, absence of synthetic chemical products, soil work to promote microbial life.

Domaine 7 Vinifications

Abel Benmaamar's vinification philosophy rests on a fundamental principle: intervene as little as possible and let the terroir express itself freely. This minimalist approach translates into precise and coherent technical choices, applied rigorously to each vintage. All fermentations are conducted exclusively with indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grapes and in the cellar, guaranteeing the authenticity and singularity of each cuvée. The grapes are harvested manually, at optimal maturity, to preserve natural balances.

For Chenin white wines, aging takes place in barrels, with particular attention paid to the discretion of the wood, whose presence must remain subtle so as not to mask the minerality of the schist. For Cabernet Franc red wines, Abel works in stainless steel tanks and/or barrels depending on the cuvées, sometimes incorporating a portion of whole clusters to reinforce aromatic complexity and tannic structure. The aging periods, of variable duration depending on vintages, allow the wines to find their natural balance, without fining or filtration. This approach, faithful to the spirit of Loire natural wines, produces wines of great drinkability, simultaneously precise, juicy, and gastronomic.

Domaine 7 Cuvées

La Guimardière (White)

La Guimardière is undoubtedly Domaine 7's flagship cuvée and one of the finest expressions of Chenin on Anjou's schist soils. Produced from a forty-year-old parcel planted below Abel Benmaamar's house, facing the Layon, it takes its name from the lieu-dit where the winemaker lives. The schist emerges very quickly, at just 40 centimeters depth, forcing the roots to search deeply, enriching the wine with intense minerality and beautiful complexity. Vinified with indigenous yeasts and aged in barrels with great discretion of the wood, La Guimardière reveals an austere and mineral nose, enhanced by white fruit aromas with a slightly toasted touch on the palate entry. The palate is straight, tense, with a structuring freshness that elegantly contrasts with the fruit's maturity. 

La Nouette (White)

La Nouette is the latest cuvée born within Domaine 7, and already one of the most anticipated by Loire natural wine enthusiasts. From a Chenin parcel planted on schist terroir, this wine is aged equally in stainless steel tanks and oak barrels, giving it a linear profile and beautiful minerality, with very measured wood presence. La Nouette is distinguished by its straightness and tension: the palate is precise, fresh despite sunny vintages, with stony minerality that marks the identity of Angevin schists. On the palate, Chenin expresses its fruity purity with beautiful length and natural drinkability.

Plume (Red)

Plume is Domaine 7's red cuvée, and one of the finest incarnations of Cabernet Franc on Anjou's schist terroirs. From the Pont Bourceau lieu-dit, this cuvée expresses all the quintessence of Angevin Cabernet Franc. Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts, with a portion of whole clusters bringing complexity and depth. Aging is divided between stainless steel tanks and barrels, over approximately 11 months. On the nose, Plume delivers direct and readable aromatics: red and black fruits, slight noble vegetal touch, herbaceous freshness typical of Cabernet Franc. On the palate, the tannins are silky, well integrated, offering a pleasant texture from release. The matter is delicate, the fruity touch superb, with beautiful length in the finish on fruit notes and slight minerality. 

Nuage Rouge (Red)

Nuage is Domaine 7's entry-level red cuvée, and yet the term entry-level seems quite reductive given the wine's intrinsic qualities. Made from Cabernet Franc harvested on the estate's schistose parcels, this wine aims to be indulgent, accessible, and highly drinkable. It embodies the festive and free spirit of Loire natural wines: light, fruity, fresh, with a crisp and thirst-quenching palate. 

Nuage Blanc (White)

In the same spirit as its red version, Nuage Blanc is Domaine 7's most accessible Chenin cuvée. Classified as Vin de France, this wine stands out for its aromatic exuberance and immediate freshness. The nose is slightly toasted, with white fruit notes and beautiful vivacity. The palate is characterized by welcome straightness, an explosion of sensations, and remarkable drinkability. Indulgent, fresh, and full of energy.