Domaine Pichot: Vineyards
Domaine Pichot is located in the Vallée de Nouy which sits behind the town of Vouvray, among what might be termed the deuxièmes côtes of the appellation (although this term is I think more commonly applied to the many valleys which surrounds and run down into the Brenne). Christophe is in good company here; he is located just a few hundred metres up the road from Domaine des Aubuisières, and it is just a short walk directly south through the vines (although the route might involve a brief trespass across some private gardens first, perhaps not advisable) to the vines of Le Haut Lieu and the famous estates of Domaine du Clos Naudin and Domaine Huet.
Today the domaine boasts more than 28 hectares of vineyards, all planted to Chenin Blanc of course, typically planted at a density of 6,600 vines per hectare. The approach to his work in the vines is conventional, but in 2020 Christophe did obtain level three Haute Valeur Environnementale certification. As I have already detailed on the preceding page, the vineyards are concentrated largely in two zones. The first is local to the cellars, in the Vallée de Nouy, while the more distant vines are located closer to the village, in the lieux-dits of Le Peu de la Moriette and Le Marigny.
One of the appellations most desirable sites, yet surprisingly little known outside Vouvray-geek-circles, Le Marigny sits directly west of the town of Vouvray. According to the cadastral maps the lieu-dit stretches in two parts over about 14 hectares, although Christophe Pichot disputes the notion that the southern section accounting for 4 hectares is really Le Marigny, and tells me the original name of this vineyard is Les Barguains (and yes, he has the maps to prove this too).
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