Château de Coulaine: Vineyards
It seems accepted that there was viticulture here in the 14th century, not surprising as there were plenty of thirsty customers nearby in Chinon, especially in the royal court. Nevertheless since that time the vineyard has certainly declined, particularly after it was ravaged by phylloxera. This devastating vineyard pest destroyed all but a hectare of vines, presumably a parcel on more sandy soils, and it was the fruit from this small plot of vines that Jacques de Bonnaventure was vinifying in the mid-20th century.
Having assumed control it was evident to Etienne de Bonnaventure that there would be a need to develop the vineyard if the estate was to be viable. First to be planted were lands already in their ownership, on the Coulaine estate, and which were eligible for the Chinon appellation. There were 6 hectares available, and planting began in 1991, a significant shift in gear from a tiny clos of old vines to a multifaceted domaine. Then other plots outside the estate were purchased, while Etienne began working others on a métayage (basically, crop-sharing) basis. This is the system employed on the parcels used for La Diablesse, added to the portfolio in 1994, and for Les Pieds Rôtis, which came into the fold in 2003.
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