This family-owned domaine just outside Saumur was established by André Bonneau and his wife in 1972 and is now in the hands of what are now fifth-generation growers, André’s sons Anthony and Cédric. They took up their roles in the business in 2000.
Over the years the estate has reached 40 hectares in size, with plantings of cabernet franc and chenin blanc farmed sustainably. Their location at Varrains provides them with a warm microclimate, situated as they are between the confluence of two rivers, the Loire and the Thouet, and the proximity of the forest of Fontevraud, making for consistent ripening, and the chalky-limestone and gravel soils make for easy drainage and quick warming during the growing season.
In the cellars, cut six metres down in the tufa bedrock, native yeasts are used wherever possible for fermentation in temperature-controlled vats, and they use a minimum of sulphur.