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Château de Chaintres
Château de Chaintres, a biodynamic Saumur-Champigny estate since 1675: cabernet franc and chenin, direct from the estate...
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Château de Chaintres - A historic clos and wines of character in Saumur-Champigny
Chateau de Chaintres
A Saumur-Champigny estate (Loire Valley), around a clos built by the Oratorians in 1675. Cabernet Franc and Chenin on tuffeau, clays and sands. Certified organic since 2013, farmed biodynamically (Demeter, Biodyvin).
A heritage founded by the Oratorians in 1675. At the heart of the Saumur-Champigny appellation, Chateau de Chaintres showcases a rare heritage: a clos built by the Fathers of the Oratory, carefully chosen for the richness of its soils. This protective wall shapes a singular microclimate and concentrates the expression of Cabernet Franc and Chenin on soils of tuffeau, clays and sands.
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Three generations in the service of quality and the living
Passed down for three generations, the estate of the de Tigny family crafts wines renowned for their precision and their elegance. The vineyard has been certified in Organic Farming since 2013 and is farmed biodynamically, with plots and cuvees certified Demeter and Biodyvin.
The aim is clear: to preserve biodiversity and let the terroir speak, not the artifices.
Historical milestones
16th century: the Logis de Chaintres belongs to the Guyelet family.
1675: the Oratorians plant the vine and build the clos, a local singularity.
Revolution: the property changes hands, but the great clos is preserved.
1937-1945: Charles Balouzet de Tigny buys back the estate; a deported resistance fighter, he dies in 1945. His wife Colleen revives the vineyard and founds the Domaine Vinicole de Chaintres.
1960-1964: Gael de Tigny develops bottling and the renown of Saumur-Champigny.
Since 2010: Elisabeth B. de Tigny Mourot modernises, structures exports and drives the conversion to organic then biodynamic farming. An ex-murus range is born in 2019.
Terroirs: tuffeau, clays, sands
Here, terroir is not a slogan:
Tuffeau: tension, salinity, chalky minerality.
Clays: breadth, structure, depth of palate.
Sands and silica: aromatic finesse, crunchy fruit.
A perfect balance, carried by a moderate water balance and measured yields, for clear ripeness and a pure expression of Cabernet Franc.
Philosophy: the wine of place, not of recipe
The estate embraces a gentle winemaking: manual harvesting plot by plot, sorting in the vines and in the cellar, indigenous yeasts, low doses of sulphur, no chaptalisation or fining. Lees ageing nourishes the wines and naturally stabilises the balances. A simple and demanding goal: to read the soil in the glass.
Organic and biodynamic practices
Massal selection, to preserve genetic diversity.
Home compost and soil care, for a living humus.
Grass cover every other row, gentle ploughing, sometimes by horse.
Biodynamic preparations (500 / 501), and herbal teas of nettle, horsetail, willow and valerian.
Copper and sulphur, in reasoned doses only.
Ageing and bottling, aligned with the lunar cycles.
The emblematic cuvees
BDN1 - Blanc de Noirs
100% Cabernet Franc - white
Juicy freshness, white fruits and citrus, a salivating finish. The chic curiosity of the Loire, red turned white.
Les Hirondelles
AOC Saumur - rose
A bright rose, spice notes, redcurrant and wild strawberry, a broad, mineral palate. Perfect as an aperitif or with poultry.
Dames de Chaintres
100% Chenin - dry white
Golden robe, fresh citrus, a tuffeau frame, a slender, spiced palate.
Clos des Oratoriens
AOC Saumur-Champigny - red
Manual harvest, wood vat, jar and barrel ageing; pure black fruit, silky tannin, the signature of the clos.
Vieilles Vignes
AOC Saumur-Champigny - red
Red fruits, a broad texture, partial ageing with no added sulphur. A table red for very fine tables.
Les Genets
Dry white - Chenin
Pale golden white, white fruits, lemon zest, a creamy palate, a mineral finish.
Les Sables
AOC Saumur-Champigny - red (Demeter and Biodyvin)
Garnet red, fresh fruit, gentle spice, an elegant finish and formidable drinkability.
Colleen Chanteclair
Traditional method - sparkling
Fine bubbles, vine peach, linden, lemon; from the aperitif to fruity desserts.
Organic and biodynamic Saumur-Champigny, direct from the estate
Why choose Château de Chaintres
A unique historic clos. In Saumur-Champigny, planted by the Oratorians as early as 1675.
Committed organic and biodynamics. Organic certification since 2013, engaged and transparent biodynamics.
A clear, pure style. Legible fruit, Loire freshness, polished tannins, tuffeau minerality.
A family transmission. Three generations of the de Tigny family and a lasting vision: history matters, and so does the future.
Which cuvee of Château de Chaintres would you like to taste first: the Clos des Oratoriens for its depth, or Dames de Chaintres for the purity of the Chenin?
Your questions about Château de Chaintres
Where is Chateau de Chaintres located?
The estate is located at Chaintres, at the heart of the Saumur-Champigny appellation, in the Loire Valley, on soils of tuffeau, clays and sands.
What is the clos of Chateau de Chaintres?
A clos built in 1675 by the Fathers of the Oratory, chosen for the richness of its soils: its protective wall shapes a singular microclimate that concentrates the expression of Cabernet Franc and Chenin.
Is Chateau de Chaintres organic?
Yes: the estate has been certified in Organic Farming since 2013 and is farmed biodynamically, with plots and cuvees certified Demeter and Biodyvin.
Which grapes does Chateau de Chaintres work?
Cabernet Franc for reds and roses, and Chenin for whites, on terroirs of tuffeau, clays and sands.
What does the tuffeau terroir bring?
Tuffeau brings tension, salinity and chalky minerality; the clays give breadth and structure; the sands and silica offer aromatic finesse and crunchy fruit.
Who runs Chateau de Chaintres?
The de Tigny family, for three generations; since 2010, Elisabeth B. de Tigny Mourot has modernised the estate, structured exports and driven the conversion to organic then biodynamic farming.
What are the cuvees of Chateau de Chaintres?
Among the emblematic ones: BDN1 Blanc de Noirs, Les Hirondelles (rose), Dames de Chaintres (Chenin), Clos des Oratoriens, Vieilles Vignes, Les Genets, Les Sables and Colleen Chanteclair.
How are the wines of Chateau de Chaintres made?
Manual harvesting plot by plot, sorting in the vines and in the cellar, indigenous yeasts, low doses of sulphur, no chaptalisation or fining, and lees ageing to nourish and stabilise the wines.
What is the Clos des Oratoriens cuvee?
A Saumur-Champigny cuvee from the historic clos: manual harvest, wood vat, ageing in jar and barrel, with pure black fruit and silky tannin.
What is the Dames de Chaintres cuvee?
A 100% Chenin white with a golden robe, fresh citrus and a tuffeau frame, a slender and spiced palate.
Which dishes pair with the wines of Chateau de Chaintres?
The Cabernet Franc reds accompany meats and game, the Les Hirondelles rose is enjoyed as an aperitif or with poultry, the Chenin whites enhance fish and goat cheeses, and the sparkling wines go from the aperitif to fruity desserts.
Where can you buy Chateau de Chaintres wines directly?
You can find the available cuvees here, direct from the estate, carefully shipped across France and Europe. The selection changes with the vintages.
Direct from the estate, at the heart of Saumur-Champigny
Chateau de Chaintres - A Saumur-Champigny estate, around a clos built by the Oratorians in 1675.
Organic since 2013, biodynamics (Demeter, Biodyvin) — Cabernet Franc and Chenin