Chateau de Parnay

History of Château de Parnay

Château de Parnay has its origins in the Middle Ages, when it was a troglodytic stronghold. In the 15th century, a main building, a chapel and an imposing drawbridge entrance were added. But it was Antoine Cristal (1837–1931), an emblematic figure of the Saumur vineyard, who would transform the property into a true temple of wine. Born in Turquant to a father who was a merchant of Auvergnat origin, Cristal made his fortune in Parisian trade before acquiring the château in 1887. A man of exceptional connections, he frequented Gambetta, Jules Ferry, Clémenceau and the sculptor Jules Desbois. His late-blossoming passion for the vine led him to remarkable viticultural innovations, of which the absolute masterpiece is the Clos d'Entre les Murs, built from 1894 onwards, whose unique technique allows the grapes to ripen in the warmth of the south-facing side while keeping the roots cool to the north. King Edward VII wrote to him: "if the alchemists of the Great Work had known your wines, they would have looked no further for drinkable gold".

After decades of gentle neglect, Château de Parnay was taken over in 2006 by Mathias Levron, a winemaker, and Régis Vincenot, an entrepreneur, who committed to restoring the international renown of this jewel of the Saumurois. From their very first vintage, they received a coup de coeur from the Guide Hachette des Vins. The organic conversion was undertaken progressively and certified in 2015 across all 35 hectares. Since then, the estate has accumulated medals at international wine fairs and stands among the essential references of Saumur-Champigny.

Terroirs and Vines of Château de Parnay

The vineyard of Château de Parnay extends over 35 hectares, spread across four clusters of plots on the argilo-calcareous hillsides of the right bank of the Loire, at the heart of the Parc régional Loire-Anjou-Touraine, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The soils, composed of clay and limestone marked by the presence of tuffeau, this soft limestone typical of the Saumurois carved into troglodytic cellars, impart to the red wines a refined minerality, a beautiful natural freshness and a recognised capacity for ageing. The proximity of the Loire river moderates the climate and encourages slow, harmonious ripening.

The emblematic plot of the Clos d'Entre les Murs covers 0.56 hectares, classified as a Monument Historique. Its 11 parallel stone walls of Champigny shelter Chenin blanc vines whose roots are planted on the north side (cool) and whose shoots pass through openings made in the walls to be exposed on the south side (warm). This architectural ingenuity produces a Chenin blanc of unique complexity and richness. La Coulée du Méridien, another iconic plot, is farmed in terraces along the line of the Greenwich Meridian, with a high planting density: each vine produces only 3 to 4 bunches of Cabernet franc, thus concentrating all the qualities sought in a great red wine. The entire vineyard has been certified Organic Agriculture since 2015.

Winemaking at Château de Parnay

Inspired by the unique environment of the troglodytic cellars and galleries carved into the tuffeau, the cellar master of Château de Parnay dedicates himself to revealing the singularity of each terroir in his cuvées. For the Clos d'Entre les Murs, the Chenin blanc is patiently aged for several years in the naturally temperature-regulated troglodytic cellars, allowing it to develop a unique personality and aromatic complexity of great depth. For the Saumur-Champigny cuvées, the Cabernet franc is vinified according to the appellation's standards: fermentations with indigenous yeasts in tanks, maceration adapted according to the cuvée, ageing in stainless steel tanks or oak barrels depending on the quality level sought.

The "Vieilles Vignes" and "Coulée du Méridien" cuvées benefit from longer ageing in barrels, allowing the tannins to mellow and the aromatic complexity to develop fully. The vinifications are conducted with respect for the fruit and the terroir, without chaptalization, with controlled yields. All the work, from vine to bottling, is governed by the specifications of Organic Agriculture.

The cuvées of Château de Parnay

Saumur Blanc Clos d'Entre les Murs (Monument Historique): The estate's iconic cuvée and absolute treasure, sourced from the world's unique plot of the Clos d'Entre les Murs, 0.56 hectares of Chenin blanc whose vines thread through the 11 stone walls of Champigny, "feet in the cool and belly in the sun". Aged for several years in the natural troglodytic cellars. An exceptional white wine, with a deep golden colour, a nose of incomparable complexity and richness: honey, beeswax, candied fruits, gentle spices and mineral notes of tuffeau. An ample, rich and taut palate, an endless, saline finish. The estate's rarest and most precious wine, produced in infinitesimal quantities. Classified as a Monument Historique, this clos is unique in the world.

Saumur-Champigny Coulée du Méridien: An iconic red cuvée sourced from the Coulée du Méridien plot, farmed in terraces along the line of the Greenwich Meridian, with a high planting density limiting each vine to 3 or 4 bunches of Cabernet franc. Manual harvesting, careful vinification, ageing in barrels. A red wine of exceptional concentration and depth: deep garnet colour, a nose of blackcurrant, blackberry and liquorice lifted by spices and floral notes. A voluminous, fleshy palate, silky tannins and a long, persistent finish. A great Saumur-Champigny for cellaring, to be kept for a minimum of 4 to 6 years.

Saumur-Champigny Clos des Meuniers: A single-plot red cuvée sourced from a Cabernet franc terroir selected for its personality and concentration. A complex and structured red wine, with aromas of black fruits, violet and liquorice, with a palate of beautiful amplitude and fine tannins that promise excellent ageing. One of the iconic cuvées offered for tasting in the estate's emblematic formula.

Saumur-Champigny Vieilles Vignes: A red cuvée sourced from the estate's oldest Cabernet franc vines, aged in oak barrels. Deep garnet colour, a rich and generous bouquet of morello cherry, blackberry and liquorice, lifted by spices. Volume, a fleshy, supple and fruity substance, a mellow structure, a persistent finish. Regularly awarded by the Guide Hachette des Vins. To be drunk from the autumn following its release or cellared for 4 to 6 years.

Saumur-Champigny Le Clos du Château: A single-plot red cuvée sourced from the estate's young Cabernet franc vines, vinified to preserve the freshness and crunchy fruit of the grape variety. Deep colour with garnet highlights, an initial nose of black fruits with a noble, lightly toasted herbal note, a palate playing on fresh fruits and a well-handled roasted quality, harmonious and ripe tannins, a fresh and spicy finish. Best enjoyed after decanting, within 3 to 5 years.

Saumur-Champigny Cuvée Principale: The entry-level Cabernet franc cuvée, focused on suppleness and roundness, for accessible drinking from its earliest years. A pleasant juice, all fruit and suppleness, lacking neither substance nor balance. The estate's everyday red wine, ideal for introducing the appellation to a wide audience. Cited by the Guide Hachette des Vins for its suppleness and roundness.

Saumur Blanc: A dry Chenin blanc cuvée outside the Clos d'Entre les Murs, sourced from the estate's plots in the Saumur Blanc appellation. An elegant and mineral white wine, with aromas of citrus, white flowers and stone, a straight and fresh palate, saline finish. A Chenin blanc of character, reflecting the tuffeau terroirs of the Saumurois.

Saumur Rosé: A rosé from Cabernet franc, vinified by direct pressing to preserve freshness and aromatic finesse. Pale pink colour with luminous highlights, a nose of small red fruits and flowers, a light and elegant palate. A gastronomic rosé, to be served chilled with light starters or summer grills.

Crémant de Loire: A sparkling wine crafted by the traditional method from Chenin blanc and Cabernet franc. Fine and persistent bubbles, notes of apple, white flowers and light brioche on the nose, a fresh and balanced palate with beautiful tuffeau minerality on the finish. A Crémant of great elegance, to be served as an aperitif or with refined desserts.