Five generation Vouvray domaine making sparkling, dry, semi-dry and sweet Chenin Blanc wines from chalk and silex soils.
The producer
Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau is a five generation family estate in Vouvray with 33 hectares in cultivation. Brothers Stéphane and Christophe Vigneau-Chevreau currently operate it. Organic certification dates to 1999, and biodynamic work uses plant based preparations, limited sulfur addition and respect for the lunar calendar. Chenin Blanc grows on tuffeau, argillaceous chalk, silex and clay calcareous limestone. The range includes sparkling, sec, demi-sec and moelleux wines, with sparkling production accounting for over half of a typical year's output.
Known for
Vouvray Chenin Blanc in four styles
Notable facts
The family estate was founded in 1875.
Brothers Stéphane and Christophe Vigneau-Chevreau currently operate the domaine.
Organic certification began with ECOCERT in 1999.
Sparkling wine accounts for over half of production in a typical year.
From the atlas
Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau
Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau is a Vouvray family estate where Chenin Blanc moves through sparkling, dry, semi-dry and sweet styles from chalk and flint soils.
At A Glance
Fact
Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau
Appellation
Vouvray
Founded
1875
Cultivation
33 hectares in cultivation across Vouvray
Main grape
Chenin Blanc
Range
Sparkling, sec, demi-sec and moelleux
Signature bottle
Clos de Rougemont
The Producer
The estate has passed through five generations and is currently operated by brothers Stéphane and Christophe Vigneau-Chevreau. Organic certification came through ECOCERT in 1999. The domaine also uses biodynamic methods, with plant based preparations to help the vines grow stronger, limited sulfur addition, and respect for the lunar calendar.
Sparkling wine makes up over half of annual production in a typical year. The estate gives sparkling Vouvray a central place alongside its still wines.
Place
Within Vouvray, the domaine's parcels move across tuffeau chalk, argillaceous clay chalk, silex and clay calcareous limestone. Tuffeau is porous chalk, while silex is flint, and both are familiar geological materials in Loire vineyards.
Silex dominant soils produce Chenin Blanc with aromas of quince, baked apples and acacia honey. The flint parcels bring those notes into the domaine's white wines.
Wines
The named bottles show two sides of the range. Vouvray Méthode Traditionnelle Extra Brut is the sparkling wine, while Clos de Rougemont is a still white. The Extra Brut carries brioche led aromas with green apple, citrus and white peach. Clos de Rougemont is round and rich yet refreshingly dry, with a mineral laced satin finish and impressive length.
Vine age divides the production. Younger vines are reserved for sparkling production, while vines over 30 years old provide grapes for still wines. The range also includes sec, demi-sec and moelleux Vouvray.
Final Word
Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau's Vouvray range joins sparkling production with sec, demi-sec and moelleux Chenin Blanc, built from tuffeau, chalk, silex and clay calcareous limestone.