Domaine Mérieau

Anecdotes from the Estate: At the estate, you'll have the opportunity to taste a vintage... unlike any other! The bottle, named "Le Siècle Georgina," pays homage to the woman who founded the estate. This sweet wine stands out from its counterparts in the Touraine region: it's made without added sulfites. Don't be surprised if you don't get the chance to taste it; this wine is only produced in years with exceptional harvests, resulting in a subtle and aromatic wine. A Brief History of the Estate: At the end of World War II, Georgina was widowed. It was her initiative to create the estate, and with the help of her daughter Paulette and her husband Jean, she developed the vineyard, its cultivation, and its sales. Their son, Jacky, in turn, took over the reins of the estate and embarked on a quest for renown, which he achieved thanks to wines of ever-increasing quality and his deep love for the land. All of this would not have been possible without his commitment to restructuring the estate into what it is today. In the 2000s, Jean-François finished his studies in Bordeaux and went to work in South African vineyards. He then returned to the family estate and rediscovered the terroirs of his native land. He worked the soil by plowing, harvested by hand, and pruned severely to give the vines a second life. He still manages the 35 hectares cultivated on the hillsides using traditional winemaking methods. He is aware of the impact of the products used to treat the vines and manages his vineyard sustainably. The pride of the estate: Domaine Merieau is located on the banks of the Cher River, in Saint-Julien de Chédon. Between Montirchard and Blois, we cultivate approximately 35 hectares of vines. They thrive on their hillsides and benefit from ideal sun exposure with a south-southeast exposure. Our oldest vines are 80 years old. We cultivate a diverse range of grape varieties, including Gamay, Menu Pineau, Chardonnay, Arbois, and Cabernet. This allows us to offer 15 different wines to Loire Valley wine lovers, including red, rosé, white, and sparkling wines. Our cellar is so old that we've never been able to date it! We age our most precious wines in oak barrels there. It's also where we welcome visitors for tastings.