Olga Raffault
There are certain domaines in Chinon which I know are held dear by many fans of Loire Valley Cabernet Franc, particularly those who value the traditional, old-school expression of this variety. One domaine I would place in this category, without a moment’s hesitation, is Olga Raffault. This estate still carries the name of its well-known and respected mid-20th century proprietor but today it is run by Olga’s granddaughter Sylvie Raffault (pictured), with the help of her husband Eric de la Vigerie and their son, Arnaud.
In this profile I examine the vineyards and wines of the domaine today, but as the domaine is doubtlessly regarded as significant within the appellation, it seems only correct to begin by exploring a little of its history.
Origins
Olga Raffault hailed from a family of smallholders, a commonplace agricultural activity in France; you grew enough vegetables for your family, with eggs from your chickens and cheese from your goats, but you also grew enough produce to take to market, to eke out a living. Among the vegetable plots and livestock no self-respecting cultivateur would be without a few rows of vines, and on more than one or two occasions these few rows were the starting point for many of the Loire Valley’s most famed domaines. The domaine of Olga Raffault is no exception.
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