On these family-owned vineyards with limestone subsoils, which were planted with vines before the phylloxera epidemic, Chenin makes up the majority of the crop but is also grown alongside Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pineau d’Aunis and Gamay. This should provide plenty of scope for Fabien to be creative with his winemaking in the years to come.

History of the Domaine du Facteur

In 2018, he moved to Noizay, taking over 4 hectares of vineyards in the Vouvray and Touraine AOCs.

In the meantime, together with his brother—a farmer who has taken over the family farm—he is planting two hectares of vines in the north of Indre-et-Loire, in the hamlet of L’Encloître (Beaumont-la-Ronce).

A 7-hectare vineyard spread across several terroirs

The Domaine du Facteur consists mainly of three distinct plots on clay-limestone soils, and one plot on sandy soil:

• La Folie in Noizay (1 ha): 70-year-old Chenin vines
• Les Champs Rougets/Champs d’Anzan/Haie du Rat in Noizay (3 hectares): 60-year-old vines planted with Chenin
• L’Encloitre in Beaumont La Ronce (2 hectares): young vines planted mainly with Chenin. There are also some Pineau d’Aunis, Chardonnay and Sauvignon.
• Nazelles Négron (1 ha): sandy soils (Gamay and Pinot Noir), a terroir low in organic matter that produces round, fruity wines

Soils that are mainly clay-limestone

The clay-limestone soils of the Domaine du Facteur are sedimentary soils composed of solidified minerals, organic matter and clay, formed by the action of the River Loire over thousands of years.

They are often regarded as the ideal soil for a winegrower, as they provide a fine balance within the terroir. Indeed, they ensure a steady supply of water and release the heat stored during the day back into the soil at night.

Vines grown on clay-limestone soils produce wines with good ageing potential, characterised by lovely acidity and finesse, whilst retaining their fruitiness. This type of soil is particularly well suited to Chenin.

A few photos of the Domaine du Facteur