The Pierre Luneau-Papin estate: golden nuggets in Muscadet

Pierre-Marie is the winemaker at Domaine Pierre Luneau-Papin in the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine appellation. A scientist, but also a bit of a poet, a touch of a philosopher, full of humor, humility, and clearly a humanist, he keeps both feet firmly on the ground as he observes his vines and his surroundings, questioning them and himself. " Being a winemaker teaches us humility and acceptance. We work on our impatience. Even though I remain committed to the upkeep of the land and the heritage, I find in the winemaker's craft a freedom of being. It's a wonderful profession for learning about oneself and becoming a free person ."

Pierre-Marie tells us about his story, his craft, his estate, his terroirs, his wines, his feelings as a winemaker, and his work philosophy. We let him speak and reflect on these ideas, much to the delight of grape and wine lovers.

Pierre-Marie and Marie take over the family estate and embark on the Muscadet adventure.

“ It’s a family story like so many others in the wine world. I was a winemaker’s son, but I needed several years of travel and discovery before returning to the estate. After my BTS in viticulture and oenology, I bought a small truck and set off to explore the vineyards. I traveled around Bordeaux , Sancerre, Rivesaltes… At 27, I returned with my wife to the family estate, and after a few years of handover, we took over the reins. ”

" It was a very meaningful choice at the time. Being rooted in the land was very important to me, and I was looking for that balance in my personal and professional life. I think that the nobility of working one's land allows one to feel truly grounded ."

“ Today, I work with my wife and 12 employees on the 40 hectares of the estate . The vast majority of the vineyard is in the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine appellation. We have 13 parcels; 13 different lieux-dits; 13 small gardens to maintain. Each of these gardens gives rise to a cuvée. ”

Melon de Bourgogne, the flagship grape variety of the Muscadet appellation, is the king of the Luneau-Papin estate.

“ The Muscadet vine grows horizontally, directly connected to its soil. It is rooted in place and gives us an impression of uprightness. This grape variety is quite fragile, especially during pumping. We avoid stirring or moving the wines too much. They remain in tanks, on their lees, for 1 year before being racked and bottled directly .”

“ In my wines, I seek to express the truth of the soils and terroirs: an oceanic salinity combined with the sharp edge of magmatic rocks. Both straightforwardness and savoriness. We have wines with a taste of spring water that are alive and dynamic. I want to feel good after drinking them, and even better an hour later . I have met extraordinary men who know how to talk about wine in an exceptional way. But ultimately, what matters is what wine brings: joy and love. ”

Traditionally, in the Muscadet Sèvres et Maine appellation, the concrete vats, which allow the wines to be vinified, are buried.

Our favorite wines from the estate:

Pueri Solis

Pierre de la Grange

The white stones

This new generation is contributing to the revival of the Muscadet appellation.

“We are experiencing a revival in the wine region ; people are increasingly drawn to our wines. A whole new generation is arriving in the Muscadet vineyards, many talented and dynamic young winemakers who are contributing to the appellation's resurgence. We work with great precision, rediscovering old Melon de Bourgogne selections that had been lost over time, and we are trying to preserve this genetic heritage. There is a great deal of information sharing about the work. This result is not magic; it is the result of sharing, exchange, a tremendous amount of work, and attention to detail .”

The success of the wines from the Pierre Luneau-Papin estate is also the result of sharing, discussions, mutual support and solidarity.

Pierre-Marie places his sensitivity and attentiveness to plants at the heart of the estate's working philosophy.

“ Winemaking is a very individual process. Of course, there’s agricultural and agronomic expertise, basic rules to follow. But I’ve also gone back to listening to the plants. I try to understand them, I ask myself what I expect from each plot because each one has a different sensitivity. In turn, they also ask us what we want to do with them. It’s a mutual respect. ”

Organic farming is a given at the Pierre Luneau-Papin estate. The winemakers, curious and passionate, are embracing biodynamic practices.

“ Of course, we converted the estate to organic farming . I couldn’t imagine returning to the land with any other approach. When I talk about being sensitive to the land and the place, I can’t talk about chemicals. I also started using biodynamic preparations in 2013. I’m trying to go even further in my relationship with the soil, the plants, and the environment. I think it’s important to help the vines express themselves, using the most natural means possible. The sensitivity of organic and biodynamic farming is an individual and personal approach. It’s noble. It’s a beautiful path of evolution.”

Being a winemaker: a valuable life lesson?

“ We are winemakers who constantly talk about terroir. We are interested in life, in knowledge, some of which, like biodynamics, dates back more than a century. It is extremely enriching, but we must not be misled by this empirical knowledge. ”

“ The winemaker’s profession teaches us a lot about: what does it mean to be, today in the 21st century? It’s a profession that allows me to flourish. Nature shapes me through difficult vintages: I quickly learned humility. I learned to accept things. I can’t always say why, but I can say who I am. However, it’s very complicated to be on a daily basis. That being said, I’m aware that what I do today isn’t necessarily the truth of tomorrow. ”

" I try to give myself the means and the ambition to always do better and produce the best work. I don't always manage to go all the way. But do we really have to be at the very top? Shouldn't we let the plants express themselves without intervening as we do all the time? "

Pierre-Marie is a fulfilled winemaker who has found freedom in working the vines and crafting his wine. With such a recipe, his wines can only be marvelous. © Kristo by Christophe Bornet & Jim Budd.

Don't wait any longer to discover the wines of the Pierre Luneau-Papin estate on Les Grappes .