Château de Plaisance, Anjou Rouge, Sur la Butte, Rochefort-Sur-Loire, Anjou-Saumur, Loire, France, 2019

Producer Profile

The Château de Plaisance is located on the ‘Butte de Chaume’, one of the most beautiful and only 1er Cru classified terroir of Anjou!

The vineyard has been run organically and biodynamically since 1995. Though the soils of Chaume are known for their beautiful sweet wines, Guy Rochais was the first to create a dry white: the famous 'Chaume sec de Guy Rochais'. His creation in fact earned him a penalty fine for non-compliance with the AOC body, hence he’s since renamed this dry white 'The insolent'. After 60 years at the helm of Château de Plaisance, the Rochais family have now sold the estate to a young winemaker, Vanessa Cherruau. Born and trained in Angers, she has learnt her winemaking skills both in France and abroad. Vanessa’s first visit to the terroirs of the Château de Plaisance was literally ‘love at first sight’ and in 2019 her very first vintage at Chateau de Plaisance was released!

Viticulture

Vineyards are planted with Chenin Blanc as well as a little Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The vines grow in a unique soil of Schist, Spilite, Sandstone and Poudingue that allow for perfect drainage. In the vineyard, pruning is done in the Guillot-Poussard method to respect the flow of sap, control the load of the vine and avoid pile up. They practice meticulous debudding and leaf stripping if necessary. Work is done minimally between rows to promote ambient biodiversity. Laying the grass down, mulching naturally, protecting rather than turning the earth. Letting the flora and fauna present express themselves: nature as the main means of protection.