2022 Les Nouettes

100% Chenin Blanc.
While working as a sommelier for upscale restaurants, Jean-Christophe Garnier discovered a contingent of underground, off-the-beaten track vignerons, whose intriguing libations inspired him to pivot into natural winemaking himself. After studying winemaking in Thouarcé, he then pursued a higher diploma in Montreuil-Bellay, and interned with Mark Angéli of Ferme de la Sansonnière and Pierre Parcé of Domaine de La Rectorie. In 2002, he began his own domain, commencing with 2.3 hectares of 60-year-old Chenin Blanc vines. The vineyard is based in Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay in the Anjou region of the Loire Valley, where Garnier farms organically and strives to make wines as naturally as possible. He also draws on biodynamic principles. In the winery, he slowly hand-presses the grapes in a Calvados basket press for one, two, or sometimes three days to produce cider-esque and oxidative-style white wines and deeply hued reds with soft tannins. The spirit and originality of his wines are a reflection of his personality.