Belargus

History of Domaine Belargus

The history of Domaine Belargus begins with a coup de foudre. In February 2018, Ivan Massonnat, a Parisian businessman and wine enthusiast, discovers the Coteau des Treilles, a spectacular terroir with steep slopes, abandoned after the Second World War and resurrected by the legendary winemaker Jo Pithon. The latter, a pioneer of organic viticulture in Anjou, had patiently assembled 70 plots to replant this exceptional hillside. Captivated by this unique site and its potential, Ivan Massonnat acquired the Pithon-Paillé estate and founded Belargus, named after the blue butterfly Lysandra bellargus, a symbol of the delicacy and biodiversity of the vines.

Within a few months, Ivan Massonnat expanded his vineyard by acquiring 10 hectares in the prestigious Quarts-de-Chaume, the only Grand Cru of the Loire, as well as a plot in Savennières. Accompanied by Jo Pithon, still acting as consultant, and a team of young talents such as Adrien Moreau and Amaury Chartier, he breathed new energy into the Anjou Noir. His vision: to reveal the potential of Chenin through single-plot wines capable of rivalling the greatest dry whites of France. Since then, Belargus has established itself as a world reference, lauded by critics such as Stephan Reinhardt of The Wine Advocate, who awarded it a rare 100 points from its very first vintage.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Belargus

Domaine Belargus extends over 24 hectares of vines, spread across three main clusters: Savennières, Chaume and the banks of the Layon. These terroirs, located in the Anjou Noir, rest on soils of schists, puddingstone sandstone, clay and magmatic rocks formed over 500 million years ago. This geological mosaic confers a unique minerality and complexity to the wines, sublimated by Chenin, a chameleon grape variety capable of expressing every nuance of the terroir.

Among the emblematic plots, the Coteau des Treilles, a monopole with slopes of up to 70%, is a jewel of biodiversity. Classified as a Regional Nature Reserve, it is home to 2,200 species, from bats to medicinal plants, and has never been treated with chemicals. The Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru, with its 10 hectares, is the heart of the estate, divided into three historic lieux-dits: Les Quarts, Les Rouères and Le Veau. In Savennières, the Clos des Ruchères, planted on purple schists, produces wines of remarkable mineral tension. Finally, the Clos des Bonnes Blanches in Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay and La Gordone on the banks of the Layon complete this collection of exceptional terroirs.

Certified organic since 2022 and converting to biodynamics, the estate favours a respectful approach to viticulture, promoting biodiversity with hedgerows, trees and animals as allies. This approach guarantees grapes of impeccable quality, harvested at optimal ripeness to fully express the singularity of each plot.

Vinifications of Domaine Belargus

Winemaking at Domaine Belargus is an art of precision, guided by a minimalist philosophy. The grapes, harvested by hand in several passes to ensure perfect ripeness, are delicately pressed using pneumatic presses, in the Champagne style. Only the purest juices from the cuvée are used for the single-plot wines. Fermentations, carried out with indigenous yeasts, take place in barrels, ovoid foudres or stainless steel tanks, and can last from a few weeks to over a year depending on the plots and vintages.

Ageing, lasting from one to three years, is carried out on total lees, without battonage or racking, to preserve the purity of the fruit and the minerality of the terroirs. The estate uses a variety of vessels (228L and 400L barrels, demi-muids, foudres) to bring complexity and balance to the final blend. Sulphite levels remain moderate (60–80 mg/L total SO2), guaranteeing natural and expressive wines. This patient and rigorous approach produces wines built for ageing, capable of spanning decades while retaining their freshness and elegance.

In 2024, Belargus undertook the construction of a new winery, designed to optimise the conditions for vinification and ageing, thereby reinforcing its ambition to produce exceptional wines. Under the direction of Audrey Braccini, the new head winemaker since 2025, the estate continues to refine its techniques to bring out the best in Chenin.

The cuvées of Domaine Belargus

Domaine Belargus offers a range of 14 cuvées, including nine dry white wines and five sweet wines, each expressing the singularity of a terroir or a vintage. Here is an overview of the cuvées:

Dry white wines

Anjou Noir 

This regional cuvée, a blend of non-single-plot vines, is a perfect introduction to the Belargus universe. Aged for one year in tank and barrels, it reveals notes of fresh fruit and a sharp minerality, typical of the schists of Anjou.

Savennières Gaudrets

From plots on a plateau of aeolian sands and black schists, this cuvée embodies the classic style of Savennières. Its aromas of white flowers and citrus open onto a balanced palate, marked by a fine acidity and an iodine-tinged finish.

Savennières Ruchères (monopole) 

Produced on a hillside of purple schists, this cuvée offers exceptional mineral tension. Aged for two years, it unveils an aromatic complexity and a remarkable ageing potential, ideal for lovers of great dry whites.

Anjou Ronceray 

A blend of Quarts-de-Chaume plots, this wine marries schists and puddingstone sandstone to offer a floral richness and a fine bitterness, the signature of the Chaume terroir.

Anjou Rouères 

From a south-east-facing plot on puddingstone sandstone, this cuvée wins over with its roundness and sunny character. A fine bitterness brings length and complexity on the palate.

Anjou Quarts 

From the eponymous plot of Quarts-de-Chaume, facing due south on Precambrian schists, this wine combines finesse, tension and an elegant bitterness, with great ageing potential.

Anjou Veau 

From a west-facing plot on outcropping schists, this dry wine expresses a vibrant minerality and a structure built for ageing, a reflection of its unique terroir.

Anjou Bonnes Blanches 

Produced on talcose schists in Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay, this cuvée reveals floral aromas, notes of menthol and a mineral tension, perfect for lovers of delicate and introspective wines.

Anjou Treilles (monopole) 

The jewel of the estate, from the Coteau des Treilles. This wine, aged for three years, offers a rare aromatic intensity and mineral power, in perfect balance. A future classic for collectors.

Sweet white wines

Coteaux-du-Layon Layon 

A blend of plots bordering the Layon, this medium-sweet wine balances freshness and suavity, with notes of fresh fruit and citrus.

Coteaux-du-Layon Echarderie (1er Cru Chaume) 

From a small plot in Chaume, this sweet wine marries mineral complexity with fruity richness, with a long and elegant finish.

Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru Quarts 

Produced in exceptional vintages, this mythical cuvée, from the eponymous plot, offers a rare concentration thanks to botrytis. The schists lend a vertical structure and an elegant freshness.

Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru Rouères 

From an east-facing plot on puddingstone sandstone, this sweet wine reveals a sunny, spherical character, with exceptional aromatic richness.

Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru Ultra 

Produced in 2018, this over-concentrated cuvée, from a final trie, is a tribute to Jo Pithon's Ambroisie. A superlative wine, combining energy and balance, for lovers of rarities.

Domaine Belargus redefines excellence in Loire wines with cuvées that celebrate Chenin and the unique terroirs of the Anjou Noir. Through biodynamic viticulture, precise winemaking and an inspired vision, Ivan Massonnat and his team produce wines of exceptional purity and longevity. Explore our selection and order now to add these gems to your cellar, at the best price!