Les Cailloux du Paradis: Vineyards
The domaine is located to the south-west of the town of Soings-en-Sologne, only a kilometre or so distant. This is countryside very typical of the Sologne, a patchwork quilt of misshapen rectangles of agriculture mixed with woodland and the occasional pond. Coursing their way between the patches is a complex network of narrow roads and rough-surfaced lanes. There are, of course, numerous plots of vines in the region as well. Many of these lie just to the north of the Courtois vineyards, and in fact belong to the Marionnet family of Domaine la Charmoise, surely one of the best-known estates in the region. The two domaines neighbour one another, although that is perhaps where the similarities between the two end.
Claude and Etienne still have about 6 hectares at Les Cailloux de Paradis, Etienne tells me. As indicated in my introduction, these vines are tended using only organic methods, so this is a domaine that has been free of herbicides and pesticides for more than two decades. There are some biodynamic principals also employed, although until recently the domaine was not certified. Today it is, and the Courtois family adhere to the rules of Nature et Progrès, one of the less well-known certifying bodies. As for terroir this is variable, but in principal the domaine is located on the edge of a mound of flint and other stones (hence cailloux) held in a matrix of sandy clay which dates from the Eocene. As is typical of the Sologne, however, there are also some superficial sands.
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