The Red Head Manor

Located on the hill of Puy Notre Dame in Maine-et- Loire , the Tête Rouge manor is the highest point in the Saumur region. Although the manor was built in 1649, Guillaume Reynouard only acquired the property in 1995. Today, we explain how this winemaker decided to embark on environmentally friendly farming practices.

An old estate dedicated to organic and biodynamic agriculture!

Upon his arrival, the soils hadn't been worked for over 30 years, making them difficult to maintain. This led to the idea of ​​organic farming : for Guillaume, "it's just common sense." The vineyard is located at the foot of a hill, and the vines are planted in the best clay-limestone soils of the Saumur region. This balanced soil allows the grapes to remain intact, thus reducing the need for pesticides. The clay retains moisture, and the limestone has filtering properties.

In 1998, its conversion to organic farming was formalized by Ecocert certification, which applies when a winegrower uses neither chemicals nor GMOs and incorporates recycling into their production. Its first vintage labeled "organic" was produced in 2001, making it quite a pioneer in the field of organic winemaking.

His conversion to biodynamic farming began in 2010, and he is certified by Biodyvin, which brings together more than 192 estates adhering to the specifications of the international association of biodynamic winegrowers. His objective is to nurture the balance of the soil and the vines, preserve ecosystems, and allow the wine to fully express the nuances of its terroir.

DISCOVER THE WINES OF THE MANOIR DE LA TÊTE ROUGE

A vineyard left to decay, starting from scratch

The estate covered 10 hectares in 1995, including the Encentoir plot. The story begins here! Today, the Manoir de la Tête Rouge boasts over 30 hectares of Pineau d'Aunis vines, a rare grape variety , forgotten and unjustly maligned, according to Guillaume, who planted it on his estate. The winemaker has undertaken several renovations of the manor house, transforming it into a residence and winery.

Guillaume encountered a problem: the vines couldn't tolerate having their shallow roots cut. He therefore had to find solutions, and organic farming was one of them. Natural ground cover between the rows, achieved by mowing only once before the harvest to allow the species to develop, was another solution. For him, the presence of plants and insects is important for preserving the balance of the terroir.

For Guillaume, hand-harvesting and tilling the soil are the key to producing quality wines. Today, vineyard yields are consistently high thanks to the winemaker's expertise. However, he remains committed to a rigorous selection of grapes to guarantee the exceptional quality of his wines.

DISCOVER THE WINES OF THE MANOIR DE LA TÊTE ROUGE

Anecdotes from the Manor

A strange name for a vineyard! But the owner assures us that the manor is haunted only by the spirit of sharing, rigor and a taste for quality.

Guillaume chose to join the AMAP (Association for the Maintenance of Peasant Agriculture). Primarily, the farm practices consuming produce sourced from its local producers, always with the aim of being closer to the environment and respecting nature.

The greatest pleasure for the winemaker and his team is welcoming customers for a vineyard tour and tasting. So don't hesitate to visit him: he'll be delighted!

DISCOVER THE WINES OF THE MANOIR DE LA TÊTE ROUGE

Manon (Les Grappes)

From September 15th to October 17th, the Wine Fair arrives at Les Grappes!

For this September must-have, Les Grappes has been working hard for several weeks to create a handcrafted selection of our finest vintages! No more "we have nothing left to drink," replenish your cellar to kick off the new season and pair perfectly with your most delicious apple tarts.

For this special occasion, come and discover wines from French winemakers with fascinating stories. This selection is exclusively composed of our finest organic, natural, and biodynamic wines. As always at Les Grappes, we are committed to promoting direct sales.

Treat yourself and enjoy drinks with friends or family meals at home.

Enjoy wines from our 1200 winemakers listed throughout France, an opportunity for you to discover terroirs and stories! All wines are therefore delivered directly from the estates.