Domaine Ménard-Gaborit: a family history spanning more than 5 generations

High above Monnières in the Loire region, let's meet Philippe Ménard, winemaker at Domaine Ménard-Gaborit . Starting from the purest traditions, he tells us how today he runs the estate with his brother Thierry and his wife Pascale, between "sustainable agriculture", friendly wine tourism, and conquering international trade fairs.

The Ménard-Gaborit family: A family of true winemakers in Monnières, in the Loire

In my family, wine wasn't really an option. I grew up with parents who had both been winegrowers for over five generations. As a young boy, I worked in the fields, with viticulture more ingrained in my body than my mind. Then, my studies at the Beaune wine school gave me a new perspective on the profession, especially thanks to the friendships I forged there through wine. In 1983, I started working with my father on the estate, and five years later we became partners. Meanwhile, my younger brother Thierry, who was studying business, was tempted by the experience. I quickly made him feel at ease and invited him to join us in the adventure in 1991. Today, he specializes in the commercial side of the estate, while I focus more on the vineyards. But that's not all; my wife Pascale is also by our side, handling the management and accounting of the estate as well as the wine tourism activities. That's a change from the time of my father or grandfather, when they were the only ones making decisions for the farm!

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The Muscadet from Domaine Ménard-Gaborit

Our approach to customers today is completely different from that of my parents, as we offer a much wider selection. For example, we work within the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine appellation, producing six or seven different Muscadets, not to mention the various vintages. Today, we are dedicated to introducing or reintroducing the Melon de Bourgogne grape variety: through its winemaking and its terroir, it offers a rare diversity… and many enthusiasts are pleasantly surprised by the complexity and potential of this wine.

At the estate, we produce three ranges of wines:

• First, the Omega range – based on table wines, spontaneous and meant to be drunk in the moment,
• Next comes the Mégali range (a contraction of Ménard-Gaborit and "Lie") with its round, smooth and slightly sparkling Muscadet wines,
• Finally, we have the Méganomes (the contraction of Ménard-Gaborit and gastronome), wines which increase in structure, in complexity and which are intended more for gastronomy such as for example our Monnières-Saint-Fiacre Communal Appellation.

In this particular case, the specifications are more precise than for other wines: the plot must be approved by the INAO (National Institute of Origin and Quality) and vinification lasts between 24 and 36 months. With these wines, the slight effervescence literally disappears, giving way to more exoticism and a longer finish.

Our favorite wines from the estate:

Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie 2017 : On the palate, we find aromas of white-fleshed fruits, green apples and a certain minerality.

Monnières Saint-Fiacre 2012 : This round and intense wine with a beautiful balance offers a long, fresh finish.

1st stop white 2021 : A fresh and fruity nose with notes of pear, peach and apricot.

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The "Sustainable Agriculture" certification: a personal commitment for Philippe Ménard

We are not certified organic, but we have always strived to respect nature as much as possible, to quantify our practices, and to document them in a way that fosters a consistent mindset and transparency with our partners. The fact that there is no "Sustainable Agriculture" advertising on our bottles reflects a personal commitment, free from any opportunism. Having received two certifications (valid for 5 years), we are also HVE (High Environmental Value) certified: a certification recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture to harmonize and broaden the environmental scope. This encompasses various areas (biodiversity, plant protection, fertilization, and water management).

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Things are happening at Domaine Ménard-Gaborit: a guesthouse, dinner concerts and soon trade shows in China!

People are increasingly curious about the winemaking profession, so we decided to open the estate to tourism, and even wine tourism . This began with the "Molinaria" guesthouse, which has been available on the estate for three years. We also have a room dedicated to themed meals, featuring a set menu created by my wife, where the atmosphere is always relaxed and convivial. By the end of the year, we also plan to organize dinner concerts and other lively wine-related events. And because we like to broaden our horizons even further, our sales director, Maxime Lavolé, will soon be traveling to China to present our wines at trade shows.