Domaine Saint Nicolas: Vineyards
Today the estate is biodynamic, Thierry having begun the conversion of the domaine to this method of viticulture in the early 1990s, achieving full certification in 1995. There are more than 30 hectares of vineyards all told, planted with the broad mix of varieties eligible for the Fiefs Vendéens appellation, meaning Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Grolleau Gris for the whites, and Pinot Noir, Gamay, Négrette and more besides for the reds.
The yield varies, and is typically 25-35 hl/ha, perhaps a little higher for the entry-level wines, Thierry purposefully aiming for yields much lower than the appellation permits (the legally permissible figure being approximately double his average yield), as he looks for quality over quantity. In some vintages the conditions have pushed yields even lower, down to 12 hl/ha in some instances.
Thierry bottles a number of site-specific cuvées and where relevant I provide detail on these below.
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