Pierre & Bertrand Couly: Vineyards
Today Pierre and Bertrand are still based in the maternal ancestral home, which is in Saint-Louans just downstream of Chinon, on the north bank, just a few minutes drive from the château and the Clos de l’Echo. Having said that visitors to the domaine are more likely to be directed to the smart new winery described in my introduction, which is situated near the main road coming down from Azay-le-Rideau, on the limestone plateau to the north of the town.
They have approximately 20 hectares of vines, planted for the most part with Cabernet Franc, although there is also some Chenin Blanc, 1.5 hectares planted on a limestone terroir. The vineyards come in a number of parcels distant to the new winery, on a variety of Chinon’s terroirs. These include alluvial soils, clay and gravel, as well as clay and limestone. The most prestigious vines they tend are in a parcel on a south-facing slope of degraded Turonian limestone soils to the east of Chinon, above the Clos de l’Olive, the famous vineyard which remains in the possession of Couly-Dutheil. These vines are owned by Pierre Couly’s brother-in-law who rents them to Pierre and Bertrand. Pierre Couly lives in the house at the top of the adjacent clos, an indication of how closely intertwines the affairs of these two factions remain.
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