BRENDAN STATER-WEST, France

Originally, from Oregon in the USA, Brendan was born into a family whose knowledge of wine extended simply to “drinking it every day” and he never imagined he would end up working in the industry.

However, following a trip to France in 2007 to teach English, he caught the wine bug and has not looked back since. Brendan began his new career by joining the team at Domaine Guiberteau, where he still works. But Romain Guiberteau suggested that he lease a 1ha plot of young Chenin vines in Bizay, next to the Clos de Guichaux, where he could produce his own wines. The first vintage was bottled at the end of March 2017, having spent 12 months in neutral oak barrels, followed by six months in stainless steel tanks. Brendan seeks the same purity and precision in his wines as does Domaine Guiberteau, aiming for a ‘transparent’ reflection of the terroir. The estate follows environmentally conscious principles, with discipline and rigour in the vineyard and a low-interventionist approach to winemaking.

Viticulture

With some selected old-vine parcels in Brézé for the Chenin Blanc and La Ripaille for Cabernet Franc Brendan, recently bought a property in Chacé, within the appellation of Saumur-Champigny. He works organically although is not certified.

Winemaking

Brendan uses infusion-style maceration and stainless steel to highlight purity and terroir, avoiding oak and excess extraction. Preferring a light decanting of lees and indigenous yeast fermentation in older oak barrels, the wines are aged for 18 months in barrel.

Highlights
  • An American from Oregon who fell in love with wine while in Paris, Brendan trained under renowned Saumur winemaker Romain Guiberteau before launching his own estate in 2015.
  • Brendan uses infusion-style maceration and stainless steel to highlight purity and terroir, avoiding oak and excess extraction.
  • Working prime plots in Saumur—old-vine Cabernet Franc on La Ripaille and Chenin Blanc on limestone-rich soils—his wines offer finesse, saline acidity, and clear varietal character.