La Grapperie

History of Domaine La Grapperie

The adventure of La Grapperie begins in 2004, when Renaud Guettier, then a young agronomist engineer specializing in plant physiology, bought back a first half-hectare of vines from his father-in-law. Passionate about natural viticulture and the little-known potential of the Loir valley, he settled in Bueil-en-Touraine with a fixed idea: to bring back to life aging or abandoned parcels, and to draw from them wines of rare intensity and minerality.

Over the years, Renaud patiently expanded his estate, parcel by parcel, buying as opportunities arose small plots of old vines scattered around the village. Today, the estate extends over 6.5 hectares divided into more than 25 small parcels, a large part of which is composed of centenary vines, an ampelographic treasure that he saved from oblivion at the cost of colossal restoration work: regrafting, replanting, reconstruction of trellising, restoration of soils. The average age of his vines is around 80 years, and a third of them exceed a century.

Certified in organic farming since 2007 by Ecocert, Domaine La Grapperie quickly forged an international reputation. 

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine La Grapperie

The vineyards of Domaine La Grapperie are planted on the hillsides of the Coteaux du Loir appellation, in the southern zone of this confidential and prestigious appellation. A terroir of remarkable singularity, where clay, flint and limestone combine according to altitude to offer a palette of exceptional mineral nuances.

The parcels are located between 60 and 120 meters altitude, on slopes naturally protected from northern winds by the Bercé forest. This privileged geographical situation gives the vines a favorable microclimate: the clay-limestone soils at the bottom of the slope retain moisture and give the wines a velvety roundness; the flint-dominated zones on the mid-slope impart mineral tension and crystalline vivacity; finally, the sandy soils of the heights contribute to the aromatic lightness and finesse of the cuvées.

The grape varieties cultivated are the two emblematic varieties of the appellation: chenin blanc for white wines, and pineau d'Aunis for 90% of red wines, to which are added a few ares of côt, gamay and grolleau. Pineau d'Aunis, one of the oldest indigenous grape varieties of the Loire Valley, produces on these soils reds of unique spicy elegance, between pepper and red fruits. Chenin blanc, the chameleon grape variety par excellence, develops there an exceptional aromatic complexity, ranging from fresh citrus to honeyed and oxidative notes of great aging wines.

The maintenance of the vineyard is entirely manual. Fan pruning, desuckering, debudding to control yields, topping, trimming: each gesture is accomplished by hand, with precision and attention that testify to Renaud Guettier's profound respect for his old vines. The soils are worked and phytosanitary treatments are limited to products authorized in organic farming supplemented by plant teas and decoctions. Harvesting is done manually, with successive sorting at full maturity, to select only the best grapes.

Vinifications at Domaine La Grapperie

In the cellar, Renaud Guettier's philosophy is as radical as in the vineyard: minimal intervention, respect for the fruit, absolute patience. His founding principle is clear: to craft complex, rich wines with good aging potential and imbued with the minerality of their terroir. To achieve this, he trusts time and nature, never adding sulfur or any other oenological input.

The cellar is installed in an old quarry carved into the limestone cliff, a natural setting that ensures ideal conditions of temperature and humidity. The grapes harvested by hand arrive there with all their integrity. The musts are transported by gravity, without aggressive pumping, to the aging barrels and vats.

For white wines: the chenin grape bunches are sorted, pressed at low pressure, then placed directly in barrels where they begin spontaneous fermentation thanks to indigenous yeasts alone. Aging lasts at least 18 months on fine lees, sometimes 24 months or more, to allow progressive maturation and natural stabilization of the wine. Bottling is done without filtration or fining.

For red wines: the pineaux d'Aunis are partially destemmed according to the parcels, then macerate at length in large truncated oak vats, between 3 and 5 weeks, to promote the extraction of polyphenols and anthocyanins through punching down. Fermentation occurs naturally, followed by aging of at least 12 months in 600-liter demi-muids, and up to 30 months for aging cuvées. The wines are then blended, racked and bottled without filtration, without fining and without added sulfur.

The Cuvées of Domaine La Grapperie

Adonis

Adonis is the entry cuvée into the world of reds from La Grapperie. Made from pineau d'Aunis grown on vines of varying ages (4 to 50 years) on flint, clay and limestone soils, this wine is vinified with a gentle maceration of about three weeks in a truncated vat, followed by aging of 12 months in demi-muids. Without added sulfur, without filtration. On the nose, it displays a fruity and spicy palette characteristic of the grape variety: bright raspberry, black pepper, light floral notes. The palate is gourmand, supple and velvety, with a fresh and persistent finish. 

L'Enchanteresse 

L'Enchanteresse is undoubtedly the flagship and most emblematic cuvée of the estate. Great aging red made exclusively from centenary vines of pineau d'Aunis planted in Dissay-sous-Courcillon, on flint, clay and limestone soils, this wine benefits from exceptional aging of 24 to 30 months in oak demi-muids. The long maceration of 4 weeks in a truncated vat, with manual punching down, extracts all the depth and complexity of the grape variety. Bottled without added sulfur, without fining or filtration. L'Enchanteresse reveals beautiful aromatic intensity of ripe black fruits with spicy notes of pepper, licorice and a touch of undergrowth. The palate is ample, structured, with fine and silky tannins and a long peppery and mineral finish.

La Désirée

La Désirée embodies the quintessence of chenin blanc from La Grapperie. Crafted from the oldest chenin vines of the estate planted on flint, clay and limestone terroirs in Dissay-sous-Courcillon, this cuvée benefits from a long aging of 24 months on fine lees in oak barrels. Spontaneous fermentation by indigenous yeasts only. Bottled without sulfur, without filtration, without fining. On the nose, La Désirée is bewitching, mineral and floral, with aromas of white flowers, candied citrus, beeswax and a slight oxidative touch that gives depth. The palate is dense, rich, slightly unctuous depending on the vintage, with a sharp acidity that gives it great aging potential. 

La Bueilloise

Crafted from a blend of different parcels of chenin blanc from Bueil-en-Touraine, from younger vines but always carefully maintained through organic farming. Aging lasts 15 months on fine lees in old oak barrels, with entirely spontaneous fermentation. Bottled without filtration or added sulfur. The result is an elegant, fruity and charming dry white wine, with aromas of green apple, pear, white flowers and a fine flinty minerality. The palate is fresh, balanced, with beautiful tension and a citrusy finish.

Les Dorrées

Les Dorrées is a dry white cuvée crafted from chenin blanc on parcels with clay and limestone soils in Bueil-en-Touraine. Dense and concentrated, this cuvée may present, depending on the vintage, slight notes of overripeness that give it additional complexity. Aging in oak barrels for 18 to 24 months allows it to develop a rich and evolving aromatic palette. Bottled without filtration and without sulfur. Les Dorrées reveals itself as charming, slightly oxidative, pure and aromatic, with notes of dried fruits, roasted hazelnut and honey. The palate is voluptuous, ample and long.