Domaine de Montrieux: Vineyards
When Ariane Lesné arrived here in late 2014 the domaine had 7.5 hectares of vines, all of which Émile had worked organically for many years (he had also leaned towards working in the vines with a horse rather than with a tractor, not something I believe Ariane has continued with). Sadly, following her acquisition of the domaine, Ariane suffered significant frosts in two consecutive years, 2016 and 2017, and as a consequence she rationalised her vineyard holdings, pulling up several parcels, bringing the area planted to vines down to about 6 hectares. In order to help with cash flow Ariane also created a small négociant business, building on her past experience as a wine merchant and buyer.
The domaine has since expanded a little, Ariane having added two small parcels of vines, 0.3 hectares of Pineau d’Aunis and 0.6 hectares of Chenin Blanc, both in the commune of Vendôme. Otherwise, the domaine is scattered across six communes of the Coteau de Vendômois appellation, namely Lunay, Mazangé, Naveil, Vendôme, Villiersfaux and Villiers-sur-Loir. These various parcels are planted mostly to Pineau d’Aunis, although as I have hinted there are other varieties here, mostly notably Gamay Teinturier, but also Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and of course Chenin Blanc. The methods in the vineyard are of course entirely organic, Ariane having continued with this particular viticultural philosophy.
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