Domaine Laporte: Vineyards
The Domaine Laporte vineyards add up to approximately 30 hectares, of which about 80% is planted to Sauvignon Blanc, the remaining 20% naturally being Pinot Noir. This includes 10 hectares in the commune of Bannay, north of Saint-Satur, where the vineyard described in my introduction can be found. This is the lieu-dit Le Rochoy, a site known since Gallo-Roman times when it was referred to as Rochetum. This is one of the most significant sections of the Laporte vineyard, and is the source of three of the top cuvées, Le Rochoy, Le Grand Rochoy and Les Royaux. Le Rochoy is picked by machine, from vines at the northern end of the vineyard (as in both images, below), whereas the other superior cuvées come from the southern section, which curves round so as to be south-facing, and these are picked by hand.
Other notable vineyard plots include a section in La Comtesse, one of the most famous sections on Les Monts Damnés. Although most authors describe it as being at “the heart” of Les Monts Damnés, it is in fact near the foot of the slope, fairly close to the village. Those who have discovered the wines of Gérard Boulay will probably already be familiar with this lieu-dit, as he also owns some vines here. Domaine Laporte has a tiny slice of the action here, with just 0.22 hectares of vines.
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