Belargus

The History of Domaine Belargus

The story of Domaine Belargus begins with love at first sight. In February 2018, Ivan Massonnat, a Parisian businessman and wine enthusiast, discovered Coteau des Treilles, a spectacular terroir of steep slopes that had been abandoned after World War II and revived by the legendary winegrower Jo Pithon. A pioneer of organic viticulture in Anjou, Pithon had patiently assembled 70 plots to replant this exceptional hillside. Captivated by the site and its potential, Ivan Massonnat purchased the Pithon-Paillé estate and founded Belargus, named after the blue butterfly Lysandra bellargus, a symbol of the vineyards’ delicacy and biodiversity.

Within a few months, Ivan Massonnat expanded his vineyard holdings by acquiring 10 hectares in the prestigious Quarts-de-Chaume, the Loire’s only Grand Cru, as well as a plot in Savennières. Working with Jo Pithon, who remains a consultant, and a team of young talents including Adrien Moreau and Amaury Chartier, he brought fresh energy to Anjou Noir. His vision: to reveal Chenin’s potential through single-vineyard wines capable of rivaling France’s greatest dry whites. Since then, Belargus has become a benchmark worldwide, praised by critics such as Stephan Reinhardt of The Wine Advocate, who awarded it a rare 100 points for its very first vintage.

The Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Belargus

Domaine Belargus spans 24 hectares of vines across three main areas: Savennières, Chaume and the banks of the Layon. These Anjou Noir terroirs lie on soils of schist, puddingstone sandstone, clay and igneous rock formed more than 500 million years ago. This geological mosaic gives the wines distinctive minerality and complexity, brought to life by Chenin, a chameleon grape capable of expressing every nuance of its terroir.

Among the landmark plots, Coteau des Treilles—a monopole with slopes of up to 70%—is a haven of biodiversity. Designated a Regional Nature Reserve, it is home to 2,200 species, from bats to medicinal plants, and has never been treated with chemicals. The 10-hectare Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru is the heart of the estate, divided into three historic named sites: Les Quarts, Les Rouères and Le Veau. In Savennières, Clos des Ruchères, planted on purple schist, produces wines with remarkable mineral tension. Finally, 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 transitioning to biodynamics, the estate favors a conscientious approach to viticulture, encouraging biodiversity with hedgerows, trees and animals. This approach ensures grapes of impeccable quality, harvested at optimal ripeness to fully express the distinctive character of each plot.

Winemaking at Domaine Belargus

Winemaking at Domaine Belargus is an art of precision, guided by a minimalist philosophy. The grapes are hand-harvested in several passes to ensure perfect ripeness, then gently pressed in pneumatic presses using the Champagne method. Only the purest juice from the first pressing is used for the single-vineyard wines. Fermentation takes place with native yeasts in barrels, egg-shaped oak vats or stainless steel tanks, and can last from a few weeks to more than a year, depending on the plots and vintages.

Aging lasts from one to three years and takes place on the full lees, without stirring or racking, to preserve the purity of the fruit and the minerality of the terroirs. The estate uses a range of vessels (228 L and 400 L barrels, demi-muids and large oak vats) to bring complexity and balance to the final blend. Sulfite levels remain moderate (60–80 mg/L total SO2), yielding natural, expressive wines. This patient, rigorous approach produces wines built to age for decades while retaining their freshness and elegance.

In 2024, Belargus began building a new winery designed to optimize winemaking and aging conditions, furthering its ambition to produce exceptional wines. Under the direction of Audrey Braccini, the new cellar master 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—nine dry white wines and five sweet wines—each expressing the distinctive character of a terroir or vintage. Here is a closer look at the cuvées:

Dry White Wines

Anjou Noir 

This regional cuvée, a blend of vines from several plots, is a perfect introduction to the world of Belargus. Aged for a year in tanks and barrels, it reveals notes of fresh fruit and a crisp minerality typical of Anjou’s schist soils.

Savennières Gaudrets

From plots on a plateau of windblown sands and black schist, this cuvée embodies the classic Savennières style. Aromas of white flowers and citrus lead to a balanced palate, marked by lively acidity and a saline finish.

Savennières Ruchères (monopole) 

Produced on a slope of purple schist, this cuvée offers exceptional mineral tension. Aged for two years, it reveals aromatic complexity and remarkable aging potential, making it ideal for lovers of great dry white wines.

Anjou Ronceray 

A blend of plots from Quarts-de-Chaume, this wine brings together schist and puddingstone sandstone, offering floral richness and a delicate bitterness that are hallmarks of the Chaume terroir.

Anjou Rouères 

From a southeast-facing plot on puddingstone sandstone, this cuvée charms with its roundness and sun-drenched character. A delicate bitterness adds length and complexity to the palate.

Anjou Quarts 

From the Quarts-de-Chaume plot of the same name, which faces due south on Precambrian schist, this wine combines finesse, tension and elegant bitterness with excellent aging potential.

Anjou Veau 

From a west-facing plot of exposed schist, this dry wine expresses vibrant minerality and a structure built for aging, reflecting its distinctive terroir.

Anjou Bonnes Blanches 

Produced on talc-rich schist in Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay, this cuvée reveals floral aromas, notes of menthol and mineral tension, making it perfect for lovers of delicate, contemplative wines.

Anjou Treilles (monopole) 

The jewel of the estate, from Coteau des Treilles. Aged for three years, this wine offers 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 sweet wine balances freshness and smoothness, with notes of fresh fruit and citrus.

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

From a small plot in Chaume, this sweet cuvée combines mineral complexity with rich fruit and a long, elegant finish.

Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru Quarts 

Produced in exceptional vintages, this legendary cuvée comes from the plot of the same name and owes its rare concentration to botrytis. The schist lends it a focused structure and elegant freshness.

Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru Rouères 

From an east-facing plot on puddingstone sandstone, this sweet wine reveals a sun-drenched, rounded character and exceptional aromatic richness.

Quarts-de-Chaume Grand Cru Ultra 

Produced in 2018 from a final selective picking, this exceptionally concentrated cuvée pays tribute to Jo Pithon’s Ambroisie. A superlative wine combining energy and balance, for lovers of rare finds.

Domaine Belargus is redefining excellence in Loire wines with cuvées that celebrate Chenin and the distinctive terroirs of 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!