Petit Thouars L'Épée Chinon 2019

The estate has been in the hands of the du Petit Thouars family continuously since 1636, passed directly from father to son across 12+ generations.

The château itself was originally constructed in the early 1500s as a countryside retreat and hunting lodge near Saint-Germain-sur-Vienne. Cardinal Richelieu, a family relative, played a role in the estate's early history during the reign of King Louis XIII. Today, the estate is managed by Sébastien du Petit Thouars and his wife D'Arcy. Sébastien returned to run the family domain in the late 2000s, combining deep historical respect for the land with modern winemaking techniques.

Situated in Saint-Germain-sur-Vienne, at the western end of the Chinon AOC in the Touraine region of the Loire Valley. The estate encompasses 150 hectares overall, with 15 hectares dedicated to vines planted on south- and southwest-facing hillsides overlooking the Vienne River. The subsoil is dominated by clay-limestone (tuffeau) and chalky gravel, which provides natural drainage, forces roots deep into the earth, and infuses the wines with intense minerality and crisp acidity. Predominantly Cabernet Franc for reds and rosés, along with Chenin Blanc for white wines.

The estate practices sustainable and environmentally conscious viticulture (certified HVE, Haute Valeur Environnementale), minimizing chemical inputs and prioritizing soil health and biodiversity.

The grapes are exclusively sourced from the estate's oldest vines located in the 'Les Plantes' and 'Le Clos' parcels. These vines sit on a plateau of Upper Turonian yellow tuffeau chalk topped with heavy clay, which provides the wine's structured backbone. The estate practices sustainable farming with a focus on low yields to ensure the concentration required for this wine. Fermentation begins naturally using indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks. Skins remain in contact with the juice for three weeks. The wine is matured in used French oak barrels for 15 to 18 months to allow micro-oxygenation and soften the tannins.