Domaine des Roches Neuves

The estate traces its origins to 1850, when the Duveau family established it in Varrains. Thierry Germain acquired Domaine des Roches Neuves in 1991, beginning with 12 hectares of Cabernet Franc. A 1996 expansion added 2 hectares of Chenin Blanc and 8 hectares of Cabernet Franc. In 2012, the estate grew further with the addition of the Clos de l'Echelier and Les Mémoires parcels, bringing the total to 28 hectares.

• Founded 1850 by the Duveau family in Varrains
• Thierry Germain took ownership in 1991 with 12 hectares of Cabernet Franc
• Major expansion in 1996 added Chenin Blanc and more Cabernet Franc
• Clos de l'Echelier and Les Mémoires parcels added in 2012

Domaine des Roches Neuves converted to organic farming in the late 1990s and adopted biodynamic practices in the early 2000s. The estate holds certification from both Ecocert and Biodyvin, two of the most recognized organic and biodynamic certifying bodies in France. Horses are used for plowing between vine rows, a practice that avoids soil compaction and reinforces the estate's commitment to low-intervention viticulture. Grapes are hand-harvested across all 61 plots.

• Certified organic by Ecocert and biodynamic by Biodyvin
• Converted to organics in the late 1990s, biodynamics in the early 2000s
• Horses used for plowing to minimize soil compaction
• Hand-harvesting across all 61 vineyard plots

The 28 hectares of vineyards sit near Varrains in the Loire Valley, within the Saumur-Champigny appellation for reds and Saumur for whites. The estate's 61 plots encompass a diverse range of soil types, including chalk, tuffeau limestone, clay-limestone, sandy-clay, flint, and Late Turonian limestone. This mosaic of soils is a key driver of the mineral complexity and freshness that characterizes the wines. The temperate Loire Valley climate is moderated by a Loire River tributary and the nearby Forest of Fontevraud.

• Soils include tuffeau limestone, chalk, clay-limestone, sandy-clay, and flint
• 61 separate plots across 28 hectares near Varrains
• Temperate climate moderated by a Loire tributary and Forest of Fontevraud
• Soil diversity contributes to the estate's mineral and layered wine profile

Fermentations at Domaine des Roches Neuves take place at cool temperatures between 16 and 24 degrees Celsius, preserving freshness and aromatic precision. Thierry Germain has also experimented with Georgian amphorae for aging, a nod to ancient winemaking techniques. The red wines are made entirely from Cabernet Franc under the Saumur-Champigny appellation, while the white wines are Chenin Blanc produced under the Saumur appellation. This dual focus on Loire's two signature grapes has helped establish the estate as a reference point for the region.

• Cool fermentation temperatures between 16 and 24 degrees Celsius
• Experimental aging in Georgian amphorae
• Cabernet Franc used exclusively for Saumur-Champigny reds
• Chenin Blanc used exclusively for Saumur whites

Domaine des Roches Neuves is consistently cited as one of the Loire Valley's top biodynamic references. Thierry Germain was elected winemaker of the year in 2011, and the estate's Saumur-Champigny has featured in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the World. These accolades have cemented the estate's reputation not only within the Loire but on the international wine stage.

• Named one of the Loire Valley's top biodynamic reference producers
• Thierry Germain elected winemaker of the year in 2011
• Saumur-Champigny included in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the World
• International benchmark for biodynamic Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc