The estate
Three generations on the petite Fresnaye.
A plot planted before the war, a farm that lived on wine and cows, then a choice: the vines alone. This is how we came to the twenty-five cuvées of today, from Coteaux du Layon to the reds of Anjou.
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1930
Archive · barrels along the wall The first vines
The grandfather plants his first vines at a place called the petite Fresnaye, on the road to Saint-Laurent-de-la-Plaine. This is Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné, “the pearl of the Layon”, on schist slopes running down to the river. The family has not moved since.
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1976
Archive · tanks and the press Joseph takes over, on five hectares
Joseph succeeds his father on a five-hectare farm. At the time it stands on two feet, wine and cows, like many farms in the Layon. His son Éric joins him three years later, in the vineyard and the winery.
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2001
The vines under snow Éric carries on, and chooses the vines
Éric takes over the family farm. The cows go, the vines stay. Six years of viticulture studies and a real taste for winemaking decide the rest: in 2006 he grows the vineyard, plants, buys plots, widens the range.
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Today
Pruning at night, in the snow Twenty-five cuvées, from vine to bottle
Varied plots on schist, grassed-over rows, sustainable growing. Éric makes, ages and bottles the wine on the estate, then sells it directly: at the cellar in Villeneuve, and shipped to his customers.
Pruning is done in winter, sometimes in the snow. Harvest starts in late August in good years and carries on with the chenin, picked berry by berry as it concentrates for the sweet wines.
Chenin, golden and ripe Chenin concentrating on the vine A roe deer between the grassy rows
Independent winegrower
From vine to bottle, with no middleman.
- Respects his terroir
- Works his vines
- Picks his grapes
- Makes and ages his wine
- Bottles his production in his own cellar
- Sells his own products
- Keeps improving while respecting tradition
- Welcomes visitors, advises on tasting and takes pleasure in presenting his work
Recognition
Fifteen Ligers, and the Guide Hachette.
The estate has been listed in the Guide Hachette, the French wine guide, since the 2000s, and brings home Ligers from the Loire Valley wine competition almost every vintage.
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5 Liger Gold Concours des Ligers -
5 Liger Silver Concours des Ligers -
5 Liger Bronze Concours des Ligers
The 2025 vintage is waiting.
The form takes a few minutes and the total is worked out as you go. Your cases are sent to you, or wait for you at the cellar.