Loire, France
Le Fief Noir is the realization of a dream of two young winemakers, Dominique Sirot and Alexis Soulas, who met one another while working in Corsica. After visiting dozens of estates with available land, the two of them felt strongly drawn to Anjou as a place where they wanted to settle, raise families, and make expressive, terroir-driven wines. Their 20 ha domain is located in the village of St-Lambert du Lattay, in the heart of the “Anjou Noir,” which takes its name from the black Schist soil that dominates the terroir here. This soil is ideal for Chenin Blanc which can obtain its ideal richness here, balanced with bright minerality and acidity. Dominque and Alexis work organically and all the vineyard work and harvest are conducted manually.
100% Chenin Blanc from 35-year-old vines planted to the local black schist. A few days before harvest, a green harvest is conducted which reduces yield by 30%. Manual harvest into 12 kg crates. Direct press juice is vinified in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts.