Terra Vita Vinum

History of Domaine Terra Vita Vinum

The history of Domaine Terra Vita Vinum begins well before the arrival of Bénédicte Petit and Luc Briand. Initially known as Domaine Richou, this family vineyard came into being in the mid-twentieth century thanks to Henri Richou, who transformed a mixed-farming smallholding into a thriving wine estate. Over three generations, the Richou family built a solid reputation in Anjou, notably under the direction of brothers Didier and Damien Richou, who took over the reins in the 1970s and 1990s. From 2009, the estate began a transition towards organic farming, laying the foundations for a more environmentally respectful viticulture.

It was in 2019 that the estate's destiny took a decisive turn. Bénédicte Petit, a former wine merchant from Nantes, and Luc Briand, the son of winegrowers who grew up in the world of wine, purchased the property with a clear vision: to sublimate the terroir of the Anjou Noir through a biodynamic approach. Renamed Terra Vita Vinum, the estate obtained its Demeter certification in 2020, marking its total commitment to this philosophy. For Luc, this project is a kind of return to his roots, tinged with the olfactory memories of his childhood spent in the family cellars. Together, this passionate couple has breathed new energy into this vineyard, by focusing on artisanal practices and a quest for authenticity. Today, Terra Vita Vinum has established itself as an essential player in the biodynamic wines of the Loire, combining tradition and innovation with brilliance.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Terra Vita Vinum

Domaine Terra Vita Vinum extends over 30 hectares of vines, nestled in the Anjou Noir, a sub-region of the Loire Valley to the south of Angers, in Mozé-sur-Louet. Unlike the Anjou Blanc and its limestone soils, the Anjou Noir is distinguished by its dark rocks — schists, gneiss, rhyolites and granites — derived from the Armorican Massif. These volcanic and schist terroirs lend the wines a striking minerality and a rare aromatic complexity, particularly well-suited to chenin, the emblematic grape variety of the region.

The vineyard is divided into seven distinct plot clusters, each with its own geological and microclimatic characteristics: 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 makes it possible to spread climatic risks while offering a palette of unique expressions. The soils, rich in sandy, purple or grey-green schists, combined with volcanic rocks such as rhyolites, lend an unmistakable signature to the estate's single-vineyard cuvées.

The vine is at the heart of the philosophy of Terra Vita Vinum. Cultivated biodynamically, the plots are worked without chemical inputs or herbicides, in keeping with the lunar calendar. Luc and Bénédicte favor mass selections to preserve genetic diversity and enrich the complexity of the wines. The soils are protected through meticulous management: minimal work of the inter-rows to encourage biodiversity, the introduction of miniature cows to mow the grass and enrich the soils, and the use of a horse to plow certain plots. Ten hectares of the estate are even dedicated to biodiversity — hedgerows, wildflowers, corridors for wildlife — proving that ecological balance is a priority. This sustainable approach guarantees healthy and expressive grapes, faithful reflections of their terroir.

Winemaking at Domaine Terra Vita Vinum

At Terra Vita Vinum, winemaking is an ode to nature and patience. True to their minimalist credo, Bénédicte and Luc adopt a low-intervention approach to allow the terroir and indigenous yeasts to express themselves fully. The harvest, exclusively manual, is carried out with extreme care: the grapes are picked in small crates of 8 to 10 kg to preserve their integrity all the way to the cellar.

For the whites, principally made from chenin, pressing is slow and gentle, followed by rigorous settling. Fermentations take place with the natural yeasts of the grapes, with no addition of sulfur upon reception, to preserve aromatic complexity. The aging, which generally lasts two years for the single-vineyard cuvées, takes place in a combination of vessels — barrels, concrete eggs, amphorae — chosen for their capacity to reveal the unique character of each plot. Bénédicte prefers terracotta to sandstone for its less reductive effect, while large casks are favored for their subtlety.

The reds, crafted from grape varieties such as cabernet franc and gamay, benefit from the same care. Depending on the vintages and terroirs, cold macerations or whole-bunch macerations are carried out to enhance freshness and fruitiness, with a light extraction favoring elegance over power. No fining or filtering is practiced, and the use of sulfur is reduced to the strict minimum, or even absent in the "Libre" cuvées. After aging, the wines rest in bottle for a period equivalent to half their time in the cellar, ensuring optimal maturity at tasting. This artisanal rigor makes each vintage a living work, vibrant with energy and precision.

The Cuvées of Domaine Terra Vita Vinum

The Terra Vita Vinum portfolio is divided into three ranges — Parcellaires, Assemblages and Rock & Schiste — to which is added the Large Soif series, offering a diversity of styles for all palates. Here is a complete overview of the available cuvées:

Single-Vineyard Wines

Savennières Bigottière (white): A chenin aged two years in barrel, concrete egg and amphora, revealing a striking minerality and a deep aromatic complexity, a reflection of the schist terroir of Savennières.

Bigottière "Libre" (white): With no added sulfites, this wine offers a broad palette, a balanced mouthfeel and an exceptional saline finish.

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

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

Anjou Blanc Grand Vau (white): With no sulfites added at harvest, this generous wine combines ripe fruit and freshness, with a remarkable aging potential.

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

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

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

Chant de la Pierre - Anjou Gamay (red): A cuvée balanced between concentration and freshness, ideal for lovers of singular gamay.

Blends

Rive Droite - Savennières (white): A complex and digestible chenin, with a fine-edged minerality.

Terre de 3 - Anjou Blanc (white): Born from a blend of three plots after the 2017 frost, this rich wine marries schists and volcanic rocks.

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

Infusions "Libre" - Vin de France (red): Sulfite-free, this version amplifies drinkability and freshness.

Rouge de Schiste - Anjou Brissac (red): Ripe cabernet franc and sauvignon, with supple tannins and a fresh finish.

Bulles de Schiste - Pet'Nat' - Vin de France (sparkling): A convivial natural sparkling wine, with notes of white fruits and a precise palate.

Premières Tries - Coteaux de l'Aubance (white, lightly sweet): A lightly sweet chenin, elegant and fresh.

Dolce Vita - Vin de France (rosé): Vivid red fruits, vibrancy and a mineral finish.

Rock & Schiste

Solera "Bien Ouillée" 2003-2019 (white): An oxidative solera with notes of walnut and citrus, low in sugar.

Rouge "Et Bien Élevé" (red): Cabernet franc and sauvignon aged at length, rich and fresh.

Large Soif

Large Soif Blanc: A rich and light chenin, perfect as an aperitif.

Large Soif Rouge: A generous red with melted tannins, offering immediate drinkability and a fresh finish that delights lovers of easy-drinking wines.

Each cuvée from Domaine Terra Vita Vinum is a celebration of the terroir and biodiversity of the Anjou Noir. The single-vineyard wines, true jewels of the estate, highlight the subtle nuances of the schist and volcanic soils, while the blends offer a creative and accessible approach. The Rock & Schiste range, more daring, reflects the innovative spirit of the couple, and Large Soif responds to a desire for simplicity and immediate pleasure. 

Would you like to explore further the viticultural treasures of the Loire Valley, and more particularly of the Anjou? Allow yourself to be tempted by the remarkable wines of Domaine des Grouas, Domaine du 7, or the Ferme de la Sansonnière, where tradition and modernity meet. For lovers of exceptional chenin, the creations of Thibaud Boudignon, Thomas Batardière, Richard Leroy, Stéphane Bernaudeau, Nicolas Barbou and Nicolas Joly (an emblematic figure of biodynamics) are essential. Do not miss either the elegant reds of Yannick Amirault or the singular approach of Domaine aux Moines. These estates, rooted in the unique terroirs of the Anjou, share with Terra Vita Vinum a passion for authenticity and quality — an invitation to enrich your cellar with the gems of the region!

Domaine Terra Vita Vinum is far more than a simple vineyard: it is a human adventure and an ode to nature, carried by the enlightened vision of Bénédicte Petit and Luc Briand. By taking over the torch from the Richou family in 2019, this passionate couple succeeded in transforming this estate of the Anjou Noir into an essential reference for biodynamic wines of the Loire Valley. Thanks to demanding viticulture, minimalist winemaking and an exceptional enhancement of their schist terroirs, they produce wines that combine precision, energy and authenticity. From vibrant dry chenin to elegant reds by way of experimental cuvées, each bottle tells a story — that of a soil, a vine and an unrivalled artisanal expertise.

Demeter-certified since 2020, Terra Vita Vinum is part of a sustainable approach that appeals to both natural wine enthusiasts and Michelin-starred sommeliers. Whether you wish to discover the unique minerality of the Bigottière cuvée, the fruity freshness of Violettes, or the richness of Large Soif, this estate offers a palette of emotions to explore.