Domaine des Roches Neuves

Domaine des Roches Neuves is located in the heart of the Loire Valley, in the village of Varrains, 5 km from Saumur. The vineyard is spread over 61 plots, covering 28 hectares with the Saumur Champigny appellation for its red wines, and Saumur for its white wines. Tuffeau limestone is one of the strengths of their terroir. This porous rock stores humidity that is redistributed during periods of intense drought. The Loire River has its influence as well, with its tributary and Forest of Fontevraud contributing to create a true micro-climate. Alternating chalky, sandy, and clay-rich soils represent a diversity of terroirs that offer infinite possibilities for the winery’s two grape varieties: Cabernet Franc and Chenin. Founded in 1850 by the Duveau family, Domaine des Roches Neuves was taken up by Thierry and Marie Germain in 1991. Spanning 12 hectares with Cabernet Franc at the time, the domain grew with 2 hectares of Chenin and 8 more hectares of Cabernet Franc in 1996. The vineyard expanded with new plots in 2012: Clos de l’Echelier and Les Mémoires. The winery completely converted all its operations for organic winegrowing in the late 1990s, then transitioned to biodynamic methods in the early 2000s.