Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC (Clisson Cru Communal)Melon de Bourgogne50 haFounded 1683Marie and Pierre-Marie LuneauWinemaker Pierre-Marie LuneauBiodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDMuscadet Sevre et Maine
Le Landreau Muscadet powerhouse, ninth-generation Luneau family with 47 parcels across Chapelle-Heulin, Le Landreau and Vallet, biodynamic and pioneers of single-vineyard Muscadet.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment in Le Landreau
Signature wines: Muscadet Sèvre et Maine L d'Or, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Clos des Allées, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Pierre de la Grange
Tip: L d'Or from granite, Pierre de la Grange and the Clisson Cru Communal show three terroirs at the top of the appellation.
Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC (Clisson, Gorges, Chateau-Thebaud Cru Communaux)Melon de Bourgogne, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir42 haFounded 1984Marc Ollivier, Remi Branger, Gwenaelle CroixWinemaker Remi BrangerORGANIC CERTIFIEDMuscadet Sevre et Maine
Maisdon-sur-Sevre estate established by Marc Ollivier in 1984, Cru Communal pioneer with Clisson, Gorges and Chateau-Thebaud bottlings.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment at the Maisdon-sur-Sevre cellar
Signature wines: Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Clisson, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Gorges, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine La Pépie
Tip: Clisson from gabbro soils gets 24+ months of lees ageing; it ages 10-15 years and tastes like white Chassagne at one-third the price.
Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOCMelon de Bourgogne46 haFounded 1945Landron family (Joseph and Helene Landron)Winemaker Joseph LandronBiodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDMuscadet Sevre et Maine
La Haye-Fouassiere estate uniting Domaine de la Louvetrie, Les Grands Houx and Chateau de la Carizere over 46 hectares, organic since 2000 and biodynamic.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the La Haye-Fouassiere cellar by appointment
Signature wines: Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Amphibolite, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Le Fief du Breil, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Clos la Carizière
Tip: Amphibolite is the entry-point soil-cuvee; Le Fief du Breil is the long-aging old-vine flagship.
Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC (Gorges Cru Communal)Melon de Bourgogne10 haFounded 1804Fred Lailler (since 2011)Winemaker Fred LaillerORGANIC CERTIFIEDMuscadet Sevre et Maine
Gorges-based domaine taken over in 2011 by Fred Lailler from the retiring Michel Bregeon, with the Gorges Cru Communal aged 28 months on lees in underground glass-lined vats.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment in Gorges
Signature wines: Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Gorges, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie
Tip: The Gorges Cru, from gabbro and amphibolite soils, is among Muscadet's most age-worthy bottlings.
Sancerre AOC, Pouilly-Fume AOC, Menetou-Salon AOC, Quincy AOC, Reuilly AOCSauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir100 haFounded 1513Mellot family (Catherine Corbeau-Mellot)ORGANIC CERTIFIEDSancerre
Centre-Loire negociant-domaine with 100 hectares spanning all eight Central Loire AOCs, including sub-domaines in Quincy, Reuilly, Pouilly-Fume and Chateaumeillant.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Sancerre cellar, including museum of family history
Signature wines: Sancerre La Chatellenie, Sancerre Rouge Le Rabault, Pouilly-Fumé Le Troncsec
Tip: Their portfolio is the most efficient way to taste all eight Central Loire appellations in one cellar visit.
Chinon AOCCabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc90 haFounded 1921Couly-Dutheil familyORGANIC CERTIFIEDChinon
Chinon's largest family-owned domaine, 90 hectares including the historic Clos de l'Echo (a Rabelais-era walled vineyard) directly opposite the town's medieval fortress.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Chinon town cellar; underground caves dug into tuffeau
Signature wines: Clos de l'Echo, Crescendo, Rene Couly
Tip: The Clos de l'Echo monopole is the historic flagship; ask about the Rabelais connection on the cellar tour.
