Thomas Batardière: Vineyards
Thomas Batardière installed himself high up on Grande Rue, a short walk up the côte from the home of Richard Leroy; the two know each other well and it is clear that the two vignerons exchange ideas and perhaps a degree of inspiration. He started out with just 2 hectares of land, subsequently expanding to 4 hectares, of which there are currently 3.5 hectares in production. The varieties planted are mostly Chenin Blanc, this variety accounting for 2.5 hectares of the vineyard, but he also has 0.15 hectares of Cabernet Franc and 0.85 hectares of Grolleau.
Most of the vines are in the commune of Rablay-sur-Layon, on the south side of the river, although he also has some on the opposite bank, in Faye-d’Anjou. One of his most significant parcels is L’Espérance, which is situated southeast of the village, near Domaine des Sablonnettes. This is planted with Chenin Blanc aged between 30 and 90 years, and it yields at least two cuvées. The other main source of Chenin Blanc is Clos des Cocus, on the north of the river near Montbenault, which puts it in the commune of Faye d’Anjou. Here he has just 0.6 hectares of Chenin Blanc vines, planted in 1968, on a prized south-facing slope with a thin layer of topsoil, just 30 centimetres deep. In a parcel adjacent to Clos des Cocus Thomas has more Chenin Blanc, vines he planted using material propagated by sélection massale using cuttings from Domaine Huet and Domaine du Clos Naudin in Vouvray.
Please log in to continue reading: