Toby Bainbridge: Vineyards
Toby and Julie live near Chavagnes-les-Eaux near Bonnezeaux, and he has vines here and also around Thouarcé, the larger town which sits lower down on the slopes of the Layon. Other vineyards are dotted along the length of the Layon, including some plots up in Faye d’Anjou. The vines are the typical Loire Valley varieties, with the largest part being planted to Grolleau, this variety accounting for 2.5 hectares. Toby also has 0.7 hectares of Chenin Blanc, and 1.3 hectares of Cabernet Franc. Some plots he has purchased, others he rents.
Viticulture is organic, with elements of biodynamics, although he is not fully biodynamic. Certainly a large portion of the workload is undertaken by hand, with the help of a small tractor when the work requires it.
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