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.
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.
Address: Le Landreau, 44430 Loire-Atlantique, France, Loire Valley
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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'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.
Reference Bourgueil grower founded by Pierre-Jacques Druet in 1980, with parcel-bottled cuvees from Grand Mont, Beauvais and Vaumoreau aged in demi-muids for 24+ months.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment at the Benais cellar
Signature wines: Grand Mont, Beauvais, Vaumoreau
Tip: Druet wines need cellar age: Grand Mont after 10 years is one of the Loire's quiet old-bottle bargains.
3-day Private tour to Top 7 Loire Valley Castles with 2 Wine tastings. Chenonceau, Amboise, Chambord, Blois, Chaumont, Da Vinci Clos Luce, Villandry by Mercedes. Live ...
Discover the Loire Valley and visit its three most prestigious castles of your choice on a private guided tour, at your pace, according to your wishes
Escape Paris for a magical day in the Loire Valley. Explore fairytale castles, wander charming Blois, and enjoy a local wine tasting along the way.
Wine tastings and winery visits in Loire Valley (22) · Wine tours and day trips in Loire Valley (35) · Wine tours by bike in Loire Valley (5)
