Domaine du Collier

'La Ripaille' Saumur Rouge 2018

In the small commune of Brézé we find some of Saumur’s most iconic producers. The reputation of Clos Rougeard precedes itself, and quickly thereafter is Domaine du Collier. The two estates are closely tied, as Antoine Foucault is the son of the late Rougeard co-owner, Charly Foucault. Antoine established Domaine du Collier with his wife Caroline in 1999 after working for Clos Rougeard and purchasing 4ha of vines in Brézé from his family. The estate is now 6ha in total.

Antoine and Caroline are big proponents of natural viticulture. No herbicides or fertilizers are used in the vineyards. Their cellar is known for being particularly cold, which slows the development of the wines in the fermentation and élévage process. As a result the wines are mineral, precise, with a lengthy backbone of acidity. The majority of their vineyards are dedicated to Chenin Blanc with the oldest vines at over 100 years old reserved for the La Charpenterie cuvée.