Château de la Genaiserie: Vineyards
The château sits on high ground just above Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné, from a vantage point where you can make out the waters of both the Layon and the Loire. It is no more than one hundred metres or so up the road from Domaine des Forges. There are 24 hectares of vines all told, planted on the typical schist (as pictured) and sandstone terroirs of the Coteaux du Layon. Frédéric Julia has planted here white varieties including Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, the former naturally dominating, with red varieties including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grolleau and Gamay, which are destined for vinification not only as a dry red but also as a rosé.
During the Julia era the vines were said to be aged between 30 and 50 years, and planted at a density of 4,500 vines per hectare. Initially, at the time of Frédéric’s acquisition, the vineyards were subject to conventional management with restricted use of chemicals, so more agriculture raisonnée than anything else. In subsequent years the domaine was been converted to organic viticulture, Julia and his the team instead working the soil beneath the vines to control weeds, while between the rows the soils were enherbée. Other work was traditional, including leaf-plucking to improve exposure of the bunches and to help with ventilation.
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