François Saint Lo

History of Domaine François Saint-Lô

François Saint-Lô produced his first cuvées in 2012 in the commune of Berrie, in the Vienne department. Originally from Normandy, this enthusiast first cut his teeth in Parisian restaurants before taking to the vineyard roads. It was during this period that he crossed paths with Olivier Cousin, an emblematic winemaker from Martigné-Briand, and Éric Dubois from Clos Cristal in Saumur, the latter supporting him in his decision to establish himself.

It all began when François acquired an old house near Berrie, about 25 km south of Saumur, which had once been used for wine production. He then set out to revive this dormant place, with simple means, a clear vision and an uncompromising philosophy. In 2017, he took a new step by creating a collective vineyard, a living place open to different people, sometimes passing through, producing natural wines in a spirit of community. From the enthusiasm of this group, Rue des Belles Caves was born.

From the artist drawing the labels to the worker restoring the cellar, the vineyard brings together as many professions as there are people on the estate.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine François Saint-Lô

The estate is located in Haut-Nueil, a small hamlet perched on a limestone hill, attached to the village of Berrie. This limestone subsoil gives the wines a characteristic minerality and natural tension particularly appreciated by terroir wine enthusiasts.

The leased vineyards are located in Montreuil-Bellay for Chenin Blanc, in Puy-Notre-Dame for Cabernets and Pineau d'Aunis. Grolleau Gris, Grolleau Noir and Gamay, not directly managed by the estate, are located around Thouars.

The total area represents approximately 5.8 hectares, entirely worked by hand: pruning with manual secateurs, disbudding, wrapping (not topping), manual harvesting... François works his vines with the help of his horse, perpetuating a tradition of gentle viticulture that respects the soil. Convinced that the balance between man and nature is essential to the development of quality raw materials, the estate cultivates its vines with the greatest respect for soils and biodiversity.

The grape varieties cultivated, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Pineau d'Aunis, Grolleau Noir, Grolleau Gris and Gamay, all come from biodynamic agriculture, without chemical inputs, in absolute respect of natural cycles.

Winemaking at Domaine François Saint-Lô

François Saint-Lô's philosophy is unambiguous: wine is made in the vineyard. He works almost exclusively with the vine, favoring vineyard work over cellar manipulations, which are kept to a strict minimum.

François has an exceptional cellar for winemaking: historic cellars carved into the stone. Vinified in these underground cellars naturally seeded with all sorts of yeasts, the wines completely forgo added sulfur, for unparalleled digestibility.

Fermentations are accomplished using yeasts naturally present on the berries and no sulfur is added. Bottling is done without fining or filtration. François uses a 100-year-old curved press that was already present when the establishment was taken over. This gentle and slow pressing seems to bring delicacy and elegance to the wines, which reveal themselves to be soft, fresh and all in finesse.

Depending on the cuvée, vinifications incorporate whole bunch maceration, aging in barrels from several wines or in barriques, for variable durations of up to 24 months. Each cuvée is the reflection of a year, a grape variety, a soil, without the winemaker's hand ever betraying this primary truth.

The Cuvées of Domaine François Saint-Lô

Les Palennes Cabernet Franc (Vin de France)

This flagship cuvée is made with Cabernet Franc from vines approximately 70 years old, planted on limestone soils. The berries are vinified as whole bunches with a two-week maceration. Idealwine Aging lasts 24 months in barrels from several harvests. The nose is very fragrant, evoking cherry, raspberry, white peach and rose. The palate is delicate, built on a balance between maturity and freshness, with imperceptible tannins and a smoky, spicy finish. Raisin A reference cuvée, to wait for or to open with red meat or aged cheese.

Le Bois Guyon Cabernet Franc (Vin de France)

This Cabernet Franc, vintage after vintage, presents a pleasant nose with notes of blueberry, raspberry and pepper. The palate is structured, built on ripe material without excessive warmth, with fine tannins and a long, almost airy finish. iDealwine Alcoholic fermentation is spontaneous thanks to indigenous yeasts, and the wine ages for up to 30 months in used barrels before being bottled without clarification, without filtration and without added sulfur. VinsChezNous The estate's aging cuvée par excellence, to be left to age 5 to 10 years.

Unis des Bois Guyon Pineau d'Aunis (Vin de France)

Produced from old Pineau d'Aunis vines planted on limestone soils within the Bois Guyon parcel, this wine is distinguished by its bright red fruit aromas and white pepper notes. Pressing is done in the traditional manner, then the wine rests in old barrels. The result is a wine of remarkable structure, destined to evolve over time. Domaine-biodynamie Fresh, pure, fruity and perfectly spiced, fluid and intense iDealwine: a rarity from the estate, with no added sulfur.

Hey Gro! Grolleau Noir (Vin de France)

A négociant cuvée for immediate pleasure, this 100% natural Grolleau, with no added sulfur, organic wine, hovers around 10° alcohol. Fruit and more fruit for this Grolleau that produces an airy wine, very pleasant on the palate — a very delightful thirst-quenching wine. Tannico Serve slightly chilled, with charcuterie, a picnic, or simply for pleasure.

Hey GG! Grolleau Gris (Vin de France)

This summer cuvée seduces with its electric pink color, grapefruit aromas and invigorating acidity. Clos Lentiscus Around 10% alcohol, it displays notes of green strawberry and watermelon rind, with remarkable balance and freshness. Natural-wines The ideal companion for aperitifs in the sun, to be enjoyed well chilled.

Hey Gamin! Gamay (Vin de France)

A super Gamay focused on fruit, red fruit drinkability and freshness. Tannico A light and generous spring cuvée, it perfectly embodies the spirit of the estate: wines designed to be shared, without ceremony, with delight. No added sulfur, to be drunk young and joyfully.

Les Pouches Chenin Blanc (Vin de France)

For this rare cuvée, the grapes are pressed very slowly throughout the night in the large basket press, as gently as possible. The wine is then placed directly in old barrels for over two years. The result is a wine of remarkable texture, pure fruit and incredible length — both delicate and powerful. Lacabote A Chenin for long aging, to give as a gift or keep carefully.

Les Pouches Macération Chenin Blanc (Vin de France)

Part of the same Chenin Blanc parcel is vinified with 10 to 14 days of maceration on whole skins, before aging in 600-liter barrels. The result is an orange wine of great finesse, whose freshness and richness of juice blend perfectly. VinsChezNous A Chenin of character, at the crossroads of Loire tradition and the most inspiring maceration wines.