Sarthe domaine making parcel by parcel Chenin Blanc from Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir, with biodynamic farming and rock cave ageing.
The producer
Eric Nicolas studied oenology before seeking Loire vineyards and founding Domaine de Bellivière with Christine in 1995. The family domaine now covers 18 hectares in Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir. Organic certification arrived in 2005, followed by a biodynamic transition in 2008 and certification in 2011. Les Rosiers 2023 is a 100% Chenin Blanc wine from younger vines spread across 24 parcels, while the cellar handles vineyard parcels separately in barrels and rock caves.
Known for
Biodynamic northern Loire Chenin Blanc
Notable facts
Domaine de Bellivière was founded in 1995 by Eric and Christine Nicolas.
Clément Nicolas joined the family enterprise in 2015.
The estate covers 18 hectares in Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir.
Organic certification arrived in 2005, followed by biodynamic certification in 2011.
Wines age for 12 to 20 months in caves hewn from rock before bottling.
The story
From City To Loire
Eric Nicolas came to vines without roots in the Loire or in agriculture. After studying oenology, he searched the Loire for vineyards, then founded Domaine de Bellivière with Christine in 1995. Their oldest son, Clément, joined the family enterprise in 2015. That year also brought a new three floor winemaking facility, whose layout permits work by gravity. The estate now farms across Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir, with organic certification from 2005 and a biodynamic transition begun in 2008. The vines use sélection massale, with standard plantings reaching 9,300 vines per hectare.
From the atlas
Earl Domaine de Bellivière
Domaine de Bellivière works Chenin Blanc in the northerly Loire Valley, with biodynamic farming and rock cave ageing across Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Sarthe department, Loire Valley
Appellations
Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir
Named bottle
Domaine de Bellivière Les Rosiers, 2023 white wine
Defining feature
Organic farming, biodynamic management and rock cave ageing
The Producer
Eric Nicolas came to the Loire without roots in agriculture or the region. After studying oenology, he searched specifically for vineyards there and founded Domaine de Bellivière with Christine in 1995. Their oldest son, Clément, joined the family enterprise in 2015. The domaine now covers 18 hectares.
The estate became organically certified in 2005, began its biodynamic transition in 2008 and received biodynamic certification in 2011. Plantings use sélection massale, with vine material selected from existing vines rather than reproduced as one clone, at a standard density of 9,300 vines per hectare. A modern three floor facility permits gravity based cellar work.
Place
Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir are two small Loire appellations about 30 miles north of Tours, in the Sarthe department. Their vineyards sit at the edges of Maine, Anjou and Touraine, in an isolated part of the Loire Valley.
The northerly location gives the wines a cool climate character distinct from mainstream Loire Chenin Blancs. The house style is described through cool, unforced purity, with Chenin Blanc carrying the regional character.
Wines
Domaine de Bellivière Les Rosiers is the named entry level Chenin Blanc bottling. The 2023 white wine is made from younger vines under 50 years old, distributed across 24 parcels. Its multi parcel origin gives the bottle a broad place within the range, while other vineyard parcels are vinified separately.
The wines use native yeasts, and fermentations can stop before every grape sugar has been consumed. The range therefore includes dry wines and bottles with some residual sweetness. Medium and large barrels provide the vessels for separate parcel work, while the house style brings crystalline floral fruit, mineral character, razor sharp acidity and savoury purity.
Final Word
Domaine de Bellivière combines selected vine material, biodynamic farming and parcel by parcel cellar work in the cool northern Loire. Its wines age in caves hewn from rock before bottling.