Laura David

History of Domaine Laura David

The story of Domaine Laura David begins with an early vocation. Originally from Chinon, and great-granddaughter of a winemaker in Bourgueil, Laura David discovered her passion for wine during her hospitality studies. Refused a placement by Parisian wine merchants because she was a woman, she decided to learn the trade herself. A first week of work experience at a Bordeaux estate finished convincing her. She obtained a vocational baccalaureate in Vine and Wine on a work-study basis in Bordeaux, then followed the viticulture and oenology curriculum at Montpellier, complemented by rigorous training in Chinon with Clothilde Pain and alongside Aurélie Garcia-Bernard. A year of travel in New Zealand rounded out her horizons before her return to the Loire Valley.

At 22, she had the opportunity to take over her great-grandfather's domaine de Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, but felt the time was not yet right. In 2016, having rejoined Clothilde Pain, a rare opportunity to acquire 7 hectares in Montlouis presented itself to her. January 2017: Laura was already pruning vines that would not be hers until March. At 25, she was propelled to the head of her own estate, which she deliberately named Laura David Vigneronne, more comfortable with this term than with that of "domaine". In 2020, she added 2 hectares at Saint-Martin-le-Beau. Supported by her partner Clément Thomasson, a baker and now part-time vineyard worker, she has established herself in just a few vintages as one of the most striking revelations of the contemporary Loire.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Laura David

The vineyard extends over 9 hectares spread across two distinct terroirs. The greater part, 7 hectares, is rooted in the sandy and flint clay soils (perruches sableuses) typical of Montlouis-sur-Loire, in Lussault-sur-Loire. The Chenin Blancs of the AOC benefit from various exposures (full south, east-west), allowing for the production of a wide range of white wines with pronounced aromatic complexity: from dry to moelleux, including sparkling and demi-sec. This part of the vineyard, planted in the 1970s and 1980s, also hosts several red grape varieties (Côt, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon) that stand proudly at the heart of the stony valley of la Bourdaisière.

Since 2020, two additional hectares have been added to the estate's holdings at Saint-Martin-le-Beau, on sandy clay soils. It is here that the Chardonnays of Les Audouines flourish, giving rise to the eponymous cuvée. The estate is undergoing organic conversion, with a strong interest in biodynamics. Ovine eco-grazing (with the sheep of a shepherd friend) clears the plots each winter. Laura David favors intra-plot selection to reveal the diversity of clay veins and limestone rocks, in a spirit of constant observation of living matter and respect for the soils, aiming for the sustainable flourishing of the vine.

Winemaking at Domaine Laura David

In the cellar, Laura David applies a refined winemaking approach, in the tradition of natural artisan winemakers. The cellar, carved into the hillside (a troglodyte cellar), allows wines to be vinified and aged at a constant temperature and with ideal humidity. All harvests are done by hand, with meticulous sorting in the vineyard and transport of fresh grapes in crates, in order to capture as faithfully as possible the typicity of each vintage and allow the personality of each cuvée to express itself.

Fermentations are conducted exclusively with the indigenous yeasts native to the estate's terroirs, without any addition of oenological yeasts. Sulfites are used at minimal doses (15 to 20 mg of total sulfur at most); some reds are even vinified without added sulfur. Most whites are filtered, in the interest of stability and aromatic precision. Aging takes place on fine lees in tank, sometimes with a passage in old wood, and traditional-method wines benefit from a minimum of 9 months aging on lees. This philosophy produces luminous, precise and expressive wines with an unapologetically natural signature, but without excess.

The Cuvées of Domaine Laura David

L'Insolente: a dry Chenin cuvée in Montlouis-sur-Loire, sourced from a Chenin plot planted on a sandy-flint terroir (perruches sableuses). Vinification without additives, aging on fine lees in tank. The nose, elegant, unfolds notes of citrus, lemon curd and hay, extended by a taut and precise palate. A vibrant and joyful expression of Montlouis Chenin.

La Facétieuse: a dry Chenin cuvée in Montlouis-sur-Loire, single-plot, crafted in the same natural spirit as the other whites from the estate. Pale robe, aromatic nose of yellow fruits and white flowers, fresh and complex palate. Another facet of Laura David's personality, waiting to be discovered.

L'Optimiste: a dry Chenin cuvée in Montlouis-sur-Loire, sourced from a third distinctive plot, which completes the estate's three-part single-plot dry Chenin range. A luminous and straight expression, defined by the mineral purity of tuffeau and sandy-flint soils.

La Naturelle: a pétillant naturel (Pet'Nat / Pétillant Originel) in Montlouis-sur-Loire, produced from 100% Chenin sourced from sandy-flint plots and a clay vein on the plateau de la Bourdaisière. Ancestral vinification, without added sugar or yeasts, fermented in bottle with its own natural sugars. Fine bubbles, pale robe, fresh nose of flowers and citrus, a thirst-quenching and joyful palate. An authentic sparkling wine, true to the natural spirit of the estate.

Méthode Traditionnelle Extra Brut: a sparkling cuvée in AOC Montlouis, produced from 100% Chenin sourced from the estate's sandy-flint plots. Aged on lees for a minimum of 9 months, with an Extra Brut zero-dosage that reveals the full purity of the Chenin and its terroir. A gastronomic sparkling wine, precise and taut, ideal as an aperitif.

Moelleux: a moelleux Chenin cuvée in Montlouis-sur-Loire, sourced from small plots planted on sandy-flint soils. Harvested from overripe and botrytized grapes through successive sortings, vinified with indigenous yeasts, aged on fine lees in tank. Complex nose of quince, exotic fruits and white fruits, indulgent palate, both mellow and light, in perfect balance. A refined moelleux, to be enjoyed as an aperitif or with blue-veined cheeses.

Demi-Sec: a Chenin cuvée with moderate residual sugar in Montlouis-sur-Loire, crafted according to the character of the vintage. Pale golden robe, nose of yellow apple, white fruits and flowers, silky palate balanced by the typical freshness of tuffeau. A gastronomic demi-sec, perfect with spiced dishes.

Mon Mojo: a signature red cuvée in Vin de France, a typical blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Côt and 15% Pinot Noir (in the 2020 vintage), sourced from sandy-flint soils (perruches sableuses). Brilliant ruby robe, fruity and fresh nose (cherry, raspberry, black fruits), supple, energetic and vibrant palate with the joyful signature characteristic of the estate. A generous red cuvée, in the image of Laura David's energy.

Côt: a 100% Côt red cuvée grown on sandy-flint soils, produced from a gently rolling 0.80-hectare plot with a beautiful sunny exposure. Very dark robe with violet edges, open nose of black fruits, silky and structured palate with melted tannins. An elegant and juicy expression of Loire Côt, to be enjoyed young or after a few years of cellaring.

Rosé: a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon rosé cuvée on sandy-flint soils (perruches sableuses), vinified dry. Pale robe, delicate nose of small red fruits and floral notes, taut and thirst-quenching palate with a fresh finish. A gastronomic rosé, refined and precise.

Les Audouines: a 100% Chardonnay Vin de France cuvée, sourced from an old Chardonnay plot entrusted by Lise and Bertrand Jousset at Saint-Martin-le-Beau, on sandy clay soils. Pale robe, aromatic nose of pear, white fruits and floral notes, an aromatic palate with subtleties reminiscent of a fine bubble. A rarity in the Loire, expressing the full creativity of Laura David.