Montgilet

History of Domaine Montgilet

The history of Domaine de Montgilet began around 1880, when an ancestor of the Lebreton family planted a first plot of one and a half hectares on the schist hillsides of Juigné-sur-Loire. Over successive generations, the vineyard gradually expanded, guided by a shared conviction: that the slate terroir of this region deserves an authentic and carefully crafted expression. It was Victor Lebreton, proprietor in the early 20th century, who laid the foundations of the estate's reputation by developing the Coteaux de l'Aubance — those sweet whites from noble rot selections on Chenin Blanc that today give the property its national renown. Victor Lebreton, who passed away in 1997 at the age of 97, devoted his entire life to this vineyard.

His son, also named Victor, took over the reins before passing them on to his two sons, Victor and Vincent Lebreton, who have been managing the estate since 1986 and 1995 respectively. Since December 2023, a dynamic sixth generation has joined the venture: Maxime in the vineyard, Marlène in the cellar, Romain and Simon in sales. This generational renewal brings fresh energy while preserving the founding values of the estate: quality, authenticity and a sincere expression of the Anjou terroir.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Montgilet

The vineyard of Domaine de Montgilet rests on a mosaic of three distinct schist terroirs, all from the Armorican massif, which give the wines their signature minerality. The first terroir, and the most extensive, consists of clay over blue schist from the Angers-Trélazé slate massif: it forms the estate's main foundation, located in the commune of Juigné-sur-Loire, benefiting from the climatic influence of the nearby Loire, which is 700 metres wide at this point. The second terroir, of clay loam over weathered grey schist, is found in the commune of Soulaines-sur-Aubance. The third, composed of purple gritstone schist in the commune of Mozé-sur-Louet, is home to the flagship Clos Prieur plot.

The grape varieties cultivated reflect the Loire tradition in its greatest diversity: Chenin Blanc for the Coteaux de l'Aubance and Anjou Blancs, Cabernet Franc (44%), Grolleau (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (18%) and Gamay (8%) for the reds and rosés. The average age of the vines is 40 years. The soils are worked using traditional methods (ploughing, grass cover, short pruning), with a High Environmental Value level 3 certification obtained since the 2019 harvest and an ongoing transition towards organic farming.

Winemaking at Domaine Montgilet

The winemaking philosophy at Domaine de Montgilet is founded on respect for the fruit and faithful expression of each terroir. For the Coteaux de l'Aubance, harvesting is done by hand through successive tries, in order to select grapes affected by noble rot at their optimal concentration level. The musts undergo light settling without enzymes, then ferment slowly, sometimes in barrels for the finest cuvées, without added yeasts or chaptalization. Top-of-the-range cuvées such as Le Clos Prieur require a potential alcohol above 20% by volume to be produced.

For the dry wines and rosés, vinification is carried out in stainless steel or concrete tanks at controlled temperature, with macerations tailored to each grape variety. The Cabernet d'Anjou is vinified by direct pressing for one third of the harvest and 16-hour maceration for the remaining two thirds, in order to extract colour and aromas with precision. The reds are aged in tank, without barrel aging for the most part, in order to preserve the freshness and fruit characteristic of the Anjou slate terroirs.

The cuvées of Domaine Montgilet

Coteaux de l'Aubance Cuvée Générique: The entry level of the estate's range of sweet whites, this Chenin Blanc cuvée from noble rot naturally expresses the gentle sweetness of Anjou: nose of ripe white fruits, citrus and honey, a palate balanced between freshness and soft roundness. Introductory and accessible, it pairs readily with foie gras or fruit-based desserts.

Coteaux de l'Aubance Les Trois Schistes: A single-plot cuvée from a selection across the estate's three types of schist, Les Trois Schistes illustrates the geological diversity of Montgilet. The Chenin expresses itself here with greater complexity and minerality, with aromas of pear, apricot, white flowers and a saline finish characteristic of slate schist.

Coteaux de l'Aubance Le Tertereaux: A cuvée from plots on blue clay schist in Juigné-sur-Loire and Soulaines-sur-Aubance, Le Tertereaux reveals a more structured and mineral Chenin, with a fine acidic tension that balances the natural softness. Aromas of candied citrus, beeswax and dried flowers, with a long and saline finish.

Coteaux de l'Aubance Le Clos des Huttières: An intermediate single-plot cuvée in the qualitative hierarchy of the estate's Coteaux de l'Aubance, Le Clos des Huttières expresses a botrytized Chenin of great finesse, with aromas of exotic fruits, dried apricot and flower honey, supported by a mineral vivacity that lends it elegance and ageing potential.

Coteaux de l'Aubance Le Clos Prieur: The flagship cuvée and the pinnacle of the range, Le Clos Prieur comes from the plot of the same name on the purple schists of Mozé-sur-Louet. Only berries reaching more than 20% potential alcohol are selected. After slow pressing, light settling and fermentation in barrel on indigenous yeasts, the wine develops intense aromas of linden, acacia, candied pear, apricot and honey, with a long and complex finish. A wine of great ageing potential and haute gastronomie.

Anjou Villages Brissac: Structured red wine from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, planted on slate schist soils. Without barrel aging, it honestly expresses the aromas of red and black fruits, pepper and liquorice typical of Anjou Cabernets on schist. Supple and fresh palate, fine tannins, mineral finish characteristic of the Anjou Noir.

Anjou Rouge: A blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon on clay and blue schist, this entry-level red is crafted to express the pleasurable character and typicity of the Anjou slate terroirs. Aromas of small red fruits, supple and rounded palate, ideal with charcuterie and light meats.

Anjou Blanc: Made from dry-vinified Chenin Blanc, the estate's Anjou Blanc expresses the natural tension of this emblematic Loire grape variety: citrus, green apple, white flowers, a straight and mineral palate with a fresh and persistent finish. A characterful dry white, true to the Anjou schists.

Anjou Gamay: A light and fruity red wine from Gamay, vinified to preserve the vivacity and pleasurable character of the grape variety. Aromas of raspberry, strawberry and light spices, fresh and fluid palate, to be served slightly chilled. A wine of immediate pleasure, perfect as an aperitif or with simple cuisine.

Cabernet d'Anjou: A tender rosé dominated by Cabernet Franc, vinified by direct pressing and short maceration. Bright and luminous colour, nose of crisp small red fruits, round and suave palate with a sweetness balanced by fine vivacity. A generous and aromatic rosé, emblem of the Anjou appellation.

Rosé de Loire: A dry rosé from a blend of local grape varieties, aged in concrete tank. Aromas of cherry and white fruits (apricot, vine peach), fresh and light palate. The quintessential summer wine, to be enjoyed with Mediterranean cuisine or grilled dishes.

Rosé d'Anjou: An off-dry rosé made primarily from Grolleau with a touch of Cabernet, aged in tank. Pale pink colour, fruity and floral nose, light and easy palate with a gentle roundness that makes it a pleasant thirst-quenching wine for all occasions.

Crémant de Loire: Sparkling wine crafted using the traditional method from Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Fine and persistent bubbles, nose of apple, brioche and white flowers, fresh and balanced palate. A Crémant of great finesse, to be served as an aperitif or with light desserts.

La Croisée des Schistes (Coteaux de l'Aubance): A cuvée from botrytized Chenin, selected from the estate's flagship plots through successive tries. It reveals the aromatic complexity and balance characteristic of the Coteaux de l'Aubance, with a sweet richness counterbalanced by the mineral freshness of the schists. A fine expression of the appellation's identity.

La Croisée des Schistes Cabernet Tendre: The rosé expression of the La Croisée des Schistes range, made from Cabernet Franc vinified as a tender rosé. Indulgence and freshness are perfectly balanced in this characterful Cabernet d'Anjou, capable of surprising after a few years of cellaring.

Le Moulin à Chenin: A dry Anjou Blanc from old-vine Chenin, aged in oak barrels for twelve months. Straw-yellow colour, discreet nose of fruit and floral nuances, broad and structured palate with fine aromatic persistence. An elegant and deep age-worthy dry white that perfectly embodies Chenin's ability to age gracefully.

Le Tendre (IGP Val de Loire): Off-dry white cuvée blending 70% Chardonnay and 30% Chenin, vinified to express lightness and fruitiness. Nose of citrus and yellow-fleshed fruits, light and crisp palate, fresh finish. An accessible and convivial wine, ideal as an aperitif or with world cuisine dishes.

Les Cousins de Montgilet (range): Launched by the estate's new generation, this range of pleasure-driven wines expresses the typical grape varieties of Anjou across several distinct cuvées. Le Chenin des cousins reveals the singularity and tension of dry Chenin. Le Chenin tendre des cousins, from lightly over-ripened grapes, offers a fine balance between freshness and softness. Le Fié gris des cousins, from Sauvignon Gris, expresses exotic aromas and a fleshy palate. Le Blanc de noir des cousins, vinified as a white wine from Cabernet Franc, surprises with its typical aromas and freshness. Le Grolleau gris des cousins offers a delicate pale pink colour and a light, fruity palate. Le Grolleau des cousins expresses the pleasurable character of an old Loire grape variety, supple and low in alcohol. Le Gamay des cousins reveals the spicy notes and characteristic fruit-forward character of the grape variety.