REGION: Loire

Philippe Foreau is the third generation of the Foreau family to produce Vouvray from this fabled domaine which his grandfather purchased in 1923. Philippe assumed the direction in 1983 upon his father André's retirement. Today, the domaine consists of 11.5 hectares planted to Chenin Blanc.

Gilles Crochet's grandfather Lucien Picard was one of the pioneers to bottle Sancerre in the region and sell them in Paris in the early 1950s. Today, the vineyards of Domaine Lucien Crochet cover 35 hectares, with soils that overlie calcareous clay rock and an Oxfordian or Kimmeridgian subsoil.

The village of Quincy is located 50 miles west of Sancerre on the left bank of the Cher river. This lovely Loire region is known as an excellent source of crisp, mineral-driven Sauvignon Blanc. The Mardon family (making wine since the 1800s) produce the best and most complex Quincy available.

Pierre Alliet is owner-winemaker of this small domaine in Cravant-les-Côteaux. Considered by many to be one of the finest producers in Chinon, Pierre is part of a new generation of Loire growers dedicated to sustainable farming, and minimal intervention to make elegant and age-able Cabernet Franc.

Pierre Martin is the owner-winemaker of this traditional Sancerre domaine, located in the grand terroir of Chavignol. After working alongside his father, Yves, he started his own domaine from 4 ha of sustainably farmed top sites. Pierre’s wines are all balanced expressions of this hallowed terroir.

The Roger family’s roots in Bué, considered one of the finest villages in Sancerre, go back to the early 18th century. Today Dominique Roger, and his wife Dany, run this sustainably farmed, minimal intervention domaine, consistently making laser-pure expressions of their silex-laden Bué terroir.

Florent Cosme has deep roots in Vouvray, with his family having been in the village for generations. Without a vineyard inheritance he started his own 4ha organic micro-domaine in 2010 from parcels in the premiere côte of Vouvray. Today he is one of the most exciting young growers in the region.

Domaine Francis Blanchet is a small 8ha estate situated in the quaint village of St. Andelain in Pouilly-Fume. St. Andelain has the distinction of having the largest percentage of silex in the entire appellation, allowing Francis to make a Pouilly-Fume that is full of verve and bright minerality.

The venerable Francois Cotat holds top sites in the Sancerre village of Chavignol, making miniscule quantities of unforgettable and age-able wines. After his father and uncle split the family holdings, Francois kept the originally cellar where he continues to make some of the finest wines in France.