Domaine FL: Vineyards
The end result of this union is that Domaine FL boasts approximately 30 hectares of vines, split between the Anjou appellations south of the river, including Anjou Blanc and Rouge, Coteaux du Layon and Quarts de Chaume, and the vines in Savennières north of the river, which came with the Château de Chamboureau. There is room to expand this holding to as much as 60 hectares, but for the moment only about half of the potential vineyard is planted. I will deal with each of the appellations in turn below, but first a few generalisations can be made.
The soils are generally either a sandy clay but some sites are more schistose in character. All the vineyards are now managed using organic methodologies, with certification. From 2015 the domaine will be biodynamic with certification similarly acquired. The vines are on average 25 years old and it is Chenin Blanc that dominates, this variety accounting for about 88% of the vineyard, with about 11% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Naturally the vineyard work is done by hand, with yields lower than they used to be, controlled by debudding and a green harvest as required. As summer progresses there is leaf-thinning if necessary. The harvest is also by hand. The vessel for fermentation varies according to variety and cuvée.
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