Fabrice & Lauré Chaillou
Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay, Loire Valley, France
Fabrice & Lauré Chaillou have been farming vineyards with organic and biodynamic practices and making wine since they met at viticulture school in 1995. Fabrice worked for Jo Pithon for many years, where he learnt that making great wine starts in the vineyard.
Since 2016, the pair have been based in the small town of Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay in the Val-du-Layon where they have been slowly acquiring old abandoned or poorly managed vineyards that with a little love and good farming, not only return to life but prosper. They started with 0.5 hectares of Chenin Blanc and today they farm just over 3 hectares of Chenin Blanc, Grolleau Noir and Grolleau Gris with plans to plant a small parcel of Pineau d’Aunis next year. Their vineyards are certified by Ecocert and their goal is to reach around 4 hectares of vineyards where they can achieve a GAEC (Good Agricultural & Environmental Conditions).
In the cellar they let things occur naturally, grapes are either direct pressed or undergo short carbonic maceration and vinification happens in fibreglass tanks. Their wines are extremely pure and very fresh to drink—they make you reach for a second bottle very quickly.
2019 Les Margas
The 2019 Les Margas is a Chenin Blanc from a parcel in Rochefort-sur-Loire with vines aged between 20 and 50 years old. Direct pressed for fermentation and aging in fibreglass tanks for one year. This wine is all about freshness.
2018 Midion
The 2018 Midion is a Massale selection Chenin Blanc from a small low-yielding vineyard in Rochefort-sur-Loire that is over 100 years old. Direct pressed for fermentation and aging in fibreglass tanks for just under two years. Longer élevage on this cuvée. Generous and giving fruit character from what was an unexpectedly warm year. The wine has such a beautiful richness but Is also balanced, with crisp acidity.