Perched 310 metres above sea level on its rocky peak and covered with vines and forest, the town of Sancerre overlooks the panorama of the Loire Valley. We can see it from miles around. You can visit this town by foot and discover its history through its monuments and old houses. Go to the Castle of Sancerre to appreciate the sublime view of the Loire Valley.
The steps of our Sancerre Wine Route :
This town is also characterized by the number of winegrowers cultivating vines around it. The winegrowers set the daily life rhythm for the Sancerre people who at the end of the day have the luxury of being able to go and have a glass of wine while picking up their cheese from the surrounding farms. It is moreover in a nearby village that the famous Chavignol dung is made. On the Sancerre Wine Route, you will discover the white Sancerre but also the rosé and red wines.
Scattered on both sides of the Loire, we are indeed at the Vignobles Berthier. The Berthier family has been settled in the Centre-Loire for several generations, but it was not until 1983 that their story began with the creation of the Domaine des Clairneaux. They cultivate a total of 25 ha of vines in sustainable viticulture. For several years now, the two sons of the Berthier family, Clément and Florian, have taken over the reins of the estate. The Berthier vineyards offer a wide variety of wines with several appellations from the Centre-Loire, Sancerre, Giennois, Menetou-Salon and Pouilly-Fumé.
Clément and Florian would be delighted to introduce you to their estate through a guided tour of the winery and vineyards explaining their work followed by a tasting of several wines accompanied by the famous Chavignol crottin. You also have the possibility to spend a good time with them over a glass of wine and a good meal to better discover the gastronomy of the region.
Sancerre is a medieval town with many monuments that are a must to visit. We advise you not to leave Sancerre without having discovered the Tour des Fiefs. This Tower is the only remaining vestige of the feudal castle of Sancerre from the 14th century. This castle belonged to the Counts of Sancerre and was reputed to be impregnable in the Middle Ages.
The remaining tower today, a donjon named the Tour des Fiefs, stands 40 metres high and proudly dominates the region. At its top, you will be able to observe an exceptional view: a 360° panorama on the Loire Valley, the medieval city of Sancerre, and the Sancerre vineyards.
Come and discover one of the smallest winegrower of the Sancerre region, here Vincent Graal exploits 3.80 hectares of vines. The size of his estate limits and makes his production original and constantly progressing. In this domain, the harvest is done by hand, in mid-September or early October. The work done by Vincent and his team to preserve the whole grape until the press is rewarded by a remarkable quality juice.
The Vincent Graal estate is warm-hearted and likes to be visited by wine lovers. The team of the domain will explain you in the heart of the vineyards the profession of winemaker and you will taste together the wines of the domain as well as local specialities. If you go to the cellars, they will explain how the winemaking process is carried out, presenting the cycle from vine to wine. This small estate is a rare pearl of the Sancerre.
Start your Wine Route of Sancerre with a visit of the Loire Museum. Founded in 1900, this museum was initially a cabinet of curiosities, bringing together many objects of various origins.
This Museum offers you an encounter between two distinct collections, the Loire and the Fine Arts.
The Loire collection will make you discover the history of one of the largest rivers in Europe with its navigation and its residents. The second part of the museum is dedicated to a collection of modern paintings among which we can find some great names like Derain, Chagall, or Dufy.
