Domaine de Juchepie: Vineyards
As I have indicated in my introduction to the domaine, Domaine de Juchepie is located between Faye-d’Anjou and Beaulieu-sur-Layon, more specifically between the hamlets of Mont-Benault and Bellevigne-en-Layon. These settlements all lie on the north bank of the Layon, which runs in a roughly east-west direction, about 1 kilometre to the south.
The local topography around the domaine has been shaped by the Ruisseau de Saint-Martin, which rises from two ponds to the south of the cellars. From each pond runs a small stream which then meet to form the Ruisseau de Saint-Martin which then continues onwards down towards the Layon. The vines sit largely in the angle of the two progenitor streams, which have eroded the land giving it south- and east-facing aspects. The proximity of the Ruisseau de Saint-Martin, as well as the Layon of course, naturally contribute to higher humidity levels, sometimes even creating morning mists, and are thus also important in the generation of botrytis. The terroir underfoot includes semi-igneous forms including purple and grey schist as well as volcanic rocks, most commonly rhyolite, phthanite and spilite. The superficial soils, however, are largely a mix of nutritionally-poor decomposed schist and clay, perhaps to a depth of just 40 centimetres, beneath which lies the bedrock.
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