Terra Vita Vinum

The History of Domaine Terra Vita Vinum

The story of Domaine Terra Vita Vinum began long before Bénédicte Petit and Luc Briand arrived. Originally known as Domaine Richou, this family vineyard was established in the mid-20th century by Henri Richou, who transformed a mixed-farming sharecropping property into a thriving wine estate. Over three generations, the Richou family built a strong reputation in Anjou, notably under the leadership of brothers Didier and Damien Richou, who took the reins in the 1970s and 1990s, respectively. In 2009, the estate began its transition to organic farming, laying the groundwork for more environmentally responsible viticulture.

The estate’s fortunes took a decisive turn in 2019. Bénédicte Petit, a former wine merchant from Nantes, and Luc Briand, the son of winemakers who grew up surrounded by wine, bought the property with a clear vision: to bring out the best in the Anjou Noir terroir through biodynamics. Renamed Terra Vita Vinum, the estate earned Demeter certification in 2020, marking its full commitment to this philosophy. For Luc, the project is a kind of homecoming, colored by memories of the scents of the family cellars he knew as a child. Together, the passionate couple have brought new energy to the vineyard, embracing artisanal practices and a pursuit of authenticity. Today, Terra Vita Vinum is a leading name in biodynamic Loire wines, skillfully combining tradition and innovation.

The Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Terra Vita Vinum

Domaine Terra Vita Vinum encompasses 30 hectares of vines in Anjou Noir, a part of the Loire Valley south of Angers, in Mozé-sur-Louet. Unlike Anjou Blanc and its limestone soils, Anjou Noir is distinguished by dark rocks—schist, gneiss, rhyolite and granite—from the Armorican Massif. These volcanic and schist-rich terroirs give the wines striking minerality and rare aromatic complexity, particularly well suited to Chenin, the region’s emblematic grape.

The vineyard is divided into seven distinct groups of plots, each with its own geology and microclimate: Bigottière/Savennières, Pavillon, Gabouchons/La Cabane/Violettes/Clos des Noëls, Grandes Rogeries/Clos de la Noue, Grand Vau/4 Chemins, Ronceray/Chant de la Pierre/Châteliers and Le Réau/Chauvigné. This diversity spreads climate risks while offering a range of distinctive expressions. Soils rich in sandstone schist—purple or green-gray—alongside volcanic rocks such as rhyolite give the estate’s single-vineyard cuvées an unmistakable signature.

The vines are at the heart of Terra Vita Vinum’s philosophy. Farmed biodynamically, the plots are tended without chemical inputs or herbicides, in keeping with the lunar calendar. Luc and Bénédicte favor massal selection to preserve genetic diversity and deepen the wines’ complexity. The soils are carefully managed: minimal cultivation between rows encourages biodiversity, miniature cows graze the grass and enrich the soil, and a horse plows certain plots. Ten hectares of the estate are even dedicated to biodiversity—with hedgerows, wildflowers and wildlife corridors—showing that ecological balance is a priority. This sustainable approach yields healthy, expressive grapes that faithfully reflect their terroir.

Winemaking at Domaine Terra Vita Vinum

At Terra Vita Vinum, winemaking is an ode to nature and patience. True to their minimalist philosophy, Bénédicte and Luc take a low-intervention approach, allowing the terroir and indigenous yeasts to express themselves fully. Harvesting is done entirely by hand and with the utmost care: grapes are picked into small 8- to 10-kg crates to keep them intact until they reach the winery.

For the whites, made primarily from Chenin, pressing is slow and gentle, followed by thorough settling. Fermentation takes place with the grapes’ natural yeasts, without sulfur added on arrival, to preserve aromatic complexity. Aging, which generally lasts two years for the single-vineyard cuvées, takes place in a combination of vessels—barrels, concrete eggs and amphorae—chosen for their ability to reveal each plot’s unique character. Bénédicte prefers terracotta to stoneware for its less reductive effect, while large casks are favored for their subtlety.

The reds, made from grapes including Cabernet Franc and Gamay, receive the same care. Depending on the vintage and terroir, cold or whole-cluster maceration is used to bring out freshness and fruit, with gentle extraction favoring elegance over power. The wines are neither fined nor filtered, and sulfur use is kept to a strict minimum—or eliminated altogether for the "Free" cuvées. After aging, the wines rest in bottle for a period equal to half their time in the winery, ensuring optimal maturity when tasted. This artisanal rigor makes each vintage a living work, vibrant with energy and precision.

The Cuvées of Domaine Terra Vita Vinum

Terra Vita Vinum’s portfolio comprises three ranges—Single-Vineyard Wines, Blends and Rock & Schist—plus the Big Thirst series, offering a variety of styles for every palate. Here is a complete overview of the available cuvées:

Single-Vineyard Wines

Savennières Bigottière (white): A Chenin aged for two years in barrels, a concrete egg and an amphora, revealing striking minerality and deep aromatic complexity that reflect Savennières’ schist soils.

Bigottière "Free" (white): Made without added sulfites, this wine offers a broad range of flavors, a balanced mouthfeel and an exceptional saline finish.

Anjou Blanc Grandes Rogeries (white): Aged for two years, this powerful, lively Chenin captivates with its richness and vibrant minerality.

Anjou Blanc Pavillon (white): A complex cuvée with a maritime minerality, ready to accompany refined dishes.

Anjou Blanc Grand Vau (white): Made without sulfites at harvest, this generous wine combines ripe fruit and freshness, with remarkable aging potential.

Gabouchons - Vin de France (red): A silky Cabernet Franc with a complex nose and a precise finish, typical of Anjou Noir.

Ronceray - Anjou Gamay (red): A fruity, spicy Gamay with a silky palate and a mineral finish.

Violettes - Vin de France (red): A fresh, complex Cabernet Franc with elegant tannins and a clean finish.

Song of the Stone - Anjou Gamay (red): A cuvée balancing concentration and freshness, ideal for lovers of distinctive Gamay.

Blends

Right Bank - Savennières (white): A complex, easy-drinking Chenin with finely drawn minerality.

Land of Three - Anjou Blanc (white): Blended from three plots following the 2017 frost, this rich wine brings together schist and volcanic rock.

Infusions - Vin de France (red): An original blend of Loire grape varieties, generous and fresh.

Infusions "Free" - Vin de France (red): Made without sulfites, this version heightens the wine’s drinkability and freshness.

Schist Red - Anjou Brissac (red): Ripe Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, with supple tannins and a fresh finish.

Schist Bubbles - Pet’Nat’ - Vin de France (sparkling): A convivial pét-nat with notes of white fruit and a precise palate.

First Selections - Coteaux de l’Aubance (sweet white): An elegant, fresh Chenin with a touch of sweetness.

Dolce Vita - Vin de France (rosé): Bright red fruit, liveliness and a mineral finish.

Rock & Schist

Solera "Well Topped Up" 2003–2019 (white): An oxidative solera with notes of walnut and citrus, low in sugar.

Red "Well Raised" (red): Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon aged for an extended period, rich yet fresh.

Big Thirst

Big Thirst White: A generous, light Chenin, perfect as an aperitif.

Big Thirst Red: A generous red with mellow tannins, immediately enjoyable and fresh on the finish—a delight for lovers of easy-drinking wines.

Every cuvée from Domaine Terra Vita Vinum celebrates the terroir and biodiversity of Anjou Noir. The single-vineyard wines, true jewels of the estate, reveal the subtle nuances of its schist and volcanic soils, while the blends offer a creative, approachable expression. The bolder Rock & Schist range reflects the couple’s innovative spirit, while Big Thirst answers the desire for simplicity and immediate pleasure. 

Want to explore more of the wine treasures of the Loire Valley, and Anjou in particular? Discover the remarkable wines of Domaine des Grouas, Domaine du 7 and Ferme de la Sansonnière, where tradition meets modernity. For lovers of exceptional Chenin, the wines of Thibaud Boudignon, Thomas Batardière, Richard Leroy, Stéphane Bernaudeau, Nicolas Barbou and Nicolas Joly (a leading figure in biodynamics) are not to be missed. Nor should you miss the elegant reds of Yannick Amirault or the distinctive approach of Domaine aux Moines. Rooted in Anjou’s unique terroirs, these estates share Terra Vita Vinum’s passion for authenticity and quality—an invitation to enrich your cellar with the region’s hidden gems!

Domaine Terra Vita Vinum is much more than a vineyard: it is a human adventure and an ode to nature, guided by the vision of Bénédicte Petit and Luc Briand. Taking over from the Richou family in 2019, the passionate couple have transformed this Anjou Noir estate into a leading name in biodynamic Loire Valley wines. Through exacting viticulture, minimal-intervention winemaking and an exceptional expression of their schist-rich terroirs, they produce wines that combine precision, energy and authenticity. From vibrant dry Chenin to elegant reds and experimental cuvées, every bottle tells a story—of soil, vines and outstanding artisanal skill.

Demeter-certified since 2020, Terra Vita Vinum takes a sustainable approach that appeals to natural wine enthusiasts and sommeliers at Michelin-starred restaurants alike. Whether you want to discover the distinctive minerality of the Bigottière cuvée, the fruity freshness of Violettes or the inviting fruit of Big Thirst, this estate offers a range of experiences to explore.