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 polyculture farm into a prosperous wine estate. For three generations, the Richou family built a solid reputation in Anjou, notably under the leadership of brothers Didier and Damien Richou, who took over the reins in the 1970s and 1990s. As early as 2009, the estate began a transition to organic agriculture, laying the foundations for 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 winemakers who grew up in the world of wine, purchased the property with a clear vision: to elevate the terroir of 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 represents 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, focusing on artisanal practices and a quest for authenticity. Today, Terra Vita Vinum has established itself as a key player in Loire biodynamic wines, brilliantly combining tradition and innovation.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Terra Vita Vinum

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

The vineyard is divided into seven distinct parcel clusters, each with its geological and microclimatic specificities: 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 allows for the spreading of climatic risks while offering a palette of unique expressions. The soils, rich in sandstone schists, purple or green-gray, combined with volcanic rocks such as rhyolites, bring an inimitable signature to the estate's single-parcel cuvées.

The vineyard is at the heart of Terra Vita Vinum's philosophy. Cultivated biodynamically, the parcels are worked without chemical inputs or herbicides, respecting the lunar calendar. Luc and Bénédicte favor massal selections to preserve genetic diversity and enrich the wines' complexity. The soils are protected through meticulous management: minimal working of the inter-rows to promote biodiversity, introduction of dwarf cows to mow the grass and enrich the soils, or even using a horse to plow certain parcels. Ten hectares of the estate are even dedicated to biodiversity – hedges, wild flowers, wildlife corridors – proving that ecological balance is a priority. This sustainable approach guarantees healthy and expressive grapes, faithful reflections of their terroir.

Vinifications at Domaine Terra Vita Vinum

At Terra Vita Vinum, vinification 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 harvests, exclusively manual, are carried out with extreme care: the grapes are picked in small crates of 8 to 10 kg to preserve their integrity until they reach the cellar.

For the whites, primarily made from chenin, pressing is slow and gentle, followed by rigorous settling. Fermentations occur with the grapes' natural yeasts, without adding sulfur at reception, to preserve aromatic complexity. The aging, which generally lasts two years for single-parcel cuvées, takes place in a combination of vessels – barrels, concrete eggs, amphorae – chosen for their ability to reveal the unique character of each parcel. Bénédicte prefers terracotta to stoneware for its less reductive effect, while large casks are favored for their subtlety.

The reds, made from grape varieties such as cabernet franc and gamay, receive the same care. Depending on the vintage and terroir, cold macerations or whole-cluster fermentations are carried out to enhance freshness and fruitiness, with light extraction favoring elegance over power. No fining or filtration is practiced, and the use of sulfur is reduced to the strict minimum, or even eliminated 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, vibrating with energy and precision.

The Cuvées of Domaine Terra Vita Vinum

Terra Vita Vinum's portfolio is divided into three ranges – Single Parcels, Blends and Rock & Schiste – to which is added the Large Soif series, offering a diversity of styles for all palates. Here is a comprehensive overview of the available cuvées:

Single Parcels

Savennières Bigottière (white): A chenin aged two years in barrel, concrete egg and amphora, revealing striking minerality and profound aromatic complexity, reflecting the schistous terroir of Savennières.

Bigottière "Libre" (white): Without 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 lively chenin seduces with its richness and vibrant minerality.

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

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

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

Ronceray - Anjou Gamay (red): A fruity and spicy gamay with a silky palate and 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 distinctive gamay.

Blends

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

Terre de 3 - Anjou Blanc (white): Born from a blend of three parcels post-frost 2017, this rich wine combines schists and volcanic rocks.

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

Infusions "Libre" - Vin de France (red): Without sulfites, 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 (sweet white): A slightly sweet chenin, elegant and fresh.

Dolce Vita - Vin de France (rosé): Bright red fruits, vivacity and mineral finish.

Rock & Schiste

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

Rouge "Et Bien Élevé" (red): Long-aged cabernet franc and sauvignon, rich and fresh.

Large Soif

Large Soif Blanc: A delicious and light chenin, perfect for aperitifs.

Large Soif Rouge: A delicious 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 Anjou Noir. The single-parcel wines, true jewels of the estate, highlight the subtle nuances of schistous and volcanic soils, while the blends offer a creative and accessible approach. The Rock & Schiste range, more daring, reflects the couple's innovative spirit, and Large Soif responds to a desire for simplicity and instant pleasure. 

Would you like to explore further the viticultural treasures of the Loire valley, and particularly of Anjou? Let yourself be tempted by the remarkable wines of Domaine des Grouas, Domaine du 7, or 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. Don't miss the elegant reds of Yannick Amirault or the singular approach of Domaine aux Moines. These estates, rooted in the unique terroirs of 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 much more than a simple vineyard: it is a human adventure and an ode to nature, driven by the enlightened vision of Bénédicte Petit and Luc Briand. By taking over from the Richou family in 2019, this passionate couple has transformed this Anjou Noir estate into an essential reference for biodynamic wines in the Loire Valley. Thanks to demanding viticulture, minimalist vinifications and an exceptional enhancement of their schistous terroirs, they produce wines that combine precision, energy and authenticity. From vibrant dry chenin to elegant reds, including experimental cuvées, each bottle tells a story – that of a soil, a vine and exceptional artisanal know-how.

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