La Grange Tiphaine: Vineyards
The domaine is located on the outskirts of Amboise, on the left bank of the Loire, upstream of Montlouis. There are 14 hectares of vines associated with the domaine, spread across three appellations, some in Touraine or Touraine Amboise, others more distant from the Delecheneau residence in Montlouis. The Touraine vines are largely around the domaine on the edge of Amboise, those in the Montlouis appellation between Husseau and St-Martin-le-Beau, upriver of Montlouis itself. The soils are generally clay and flint, over deeper limestone, and the vines range from just a few years old up to, in the case of a few venerable pieds, 120 years.
This diversity of vineyard and sol brings some welcome variety to the range of wines at La Grange Tiphaine, with the varieties planted including Chenin Blanc (in Montlouis, naturally, but also in the Touraine appellation), followed by Sauvignon Blanc, Côt (otherwise known as Malbec), Gamay and Cabernet Franc.
Prior to their taking charge the domaine had been run along lines that were probably typical of many lesser-known Touraine domaines, in particular Damien’s father had been content treating with herbicides and other chemicals. This was one of the first things to change here, Damien opting from the 2003 vintage to control weeds by working the soil instead. Harvest is by hand, and Damien introduced small trays for the collection of fruit. The next step was conversion to organic viticulture, which was commenced in 2008, the year Coralie (pictured) joined Damien working full time on the domaine.
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