Pithon-Paillé: Beyond Les Treilles
When Jo Pithon and Jo Paillé started out the only significant vineyard in their possession was the Coteau des Treilles, but during subsequent years they built up a very attractive portfolio of Anjou terroirs, as well as developing their holdings in both Savennières and Quarts de Chaume. I will look at the various Anjou vineyards first, before then moving on to these latter two more prestigious appellations.
From small beginnings the Pithon-Paillé empire grew across the Anjou appellation. After Les Treilles the family owned 2.2 hectares of vines at Château La Fresnaye at St-Aubin-de-Luigné. Here on gravelly soils they had 1.5 hectares of Chenin Blanc, planted in two separate stages in 1987 and 1989. They also had a smaller parcel of Cabernet Franc, just 0.68 hectares, which was planted in 1969.
Jo Pithon and family acquired a portion of Les Bonnes Blanches, which lies just across from the Coteau des Treilles, on the opposite bank of the Layon. This vineyard accounted for 0.57 hectares of their portfolio. Although famed for its sweet wines, the prime intention here was to produce a dry Anjou Blanc from this site, with any botrytised fruit going into a blended Coteaux du Layon.
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