WINE | FRANCE

Francois Chidaine one of the old guards in the Montlouis appellation and a leader in the Natural Wine movement and carbon farming, worked alongside his father, Yves, in the Loire Valley. He eventually took over, and now run it with his wife Manuela, and daughter Alice, when his father decided to retire. Although most of his work is based in the Montlouis-Sur-Loire appellation, in 2002 he decided to rent the prestigious Clos Baudoin vineyard in Vouvray, which he eventually purchased in 2006. Now the domaine consists of a total of 37 hectares spread across the Loire Valley: 20 hectares in Montlouis, 10 hectares in Vouvray, and 7 hectares in Touraine. 

Francois is seen as the mastermind being biodynamic viticulture, and has taught many younger winemakers in the region. Yields are kept low as old vines surpass 80 years old, and “young vines” average out at around 30 years old. Vineyards are all worked by hand, and he believes in encouraging cover crop to co-exist with the vines to avoid disturbing the underlying root systems. This promotes diverse vine growth, in turn boosting the biodiversity and creating a polycultural environment in which all plant life thrives. In the cellar, Francois believes in gentle pressing and using only indigenous yeast, with a combination of stainless steel, French oak barrels and demi-muids, with extended lees contact and minimal sulfur. 

Rootstock Selections Offering

New Arrivals (August 2020)

2018 Les Choisilles (chenin Blanc)

2018 les tuffeaux demi-sec (Chenin BlaNC)

2018 les arigles sec (chenin Blanc)

2018 Baudoin sec (chenin Blanc)

2019 Touraine Sauvignon (SAUVIGNON BLANC)

2018 Touraine Rouge (cab franc, cot, pineau d’aunis)

Past Release

2018 Montlouis Brut Nature (chenin Blanc)

2017 Les bournais (Chenin Blanc)

2018 les bournais Franc de PieD (chenin Blanc)

2017 les grillonnieres Moelleux (Chenin Blanc)

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