Who makes it
Schist and micaschist sit beneath Château de la Ragotière, one of three main properties operated by Les Frères Couillaud. The domaine also includes Château de la Morinière and Domaine du Petit Château. Its range joins Muscadet from Ragotière with La Désirée Chardonnay, an IGP Val de Loire white.
The Couillaud brothers bought Château de la Ragotière in 1979 and undertook major restoration in both the winery and vineyards to rehabilitate the property. Extended lees ageing is a signature technique. Lees are fine yeast sediment, and prolonged contact can add texture and savoury depth to a white wine while retaining freshness.
Where it grows
The vineyards lie approximately 50 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean in an oceanic climate. Mica schist drains water quickly through its laminated layers, reducing water retention around the roots. At Château de la Ragotière, schist and micaschist produce late maturing wines suited to keeping.
Château de la Morinière has stony slopes facing south and southeast, producing fine and aromatic wines. Domaine du Petit Château faces south and produces wines of great delicacy.
What they make
La Désirée Chardonnay is an IGP Val de Loire white made from Chardonnay. Freshness leads the wine, with honeydew melon, pear, herbs and mineral notes. Four months of sur lie ageing rounds the palate, giving the wine a fuller texture without losing its fresh character.
Château de la Ragotière Vieilles Vignes is a 2024 Muscadet from vines between 40 and 60 years old. It is pale yellow and spends 10 months on fine lees in underground tanks. Vallet Château de la Ragotière is a 2017 Muscadet, while a 2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine extends the Ragotière range to a wine aged 44 months on fine lees.