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Château de Fosse Sèche
Château de Fosse-Sèche, an organic Saumur estate: cabernet franc and chenin on flint soils, direct from the estate...
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Discover Château de Fosse Sèche in photos
Château de Fosse-Sèche: eight centuries of history, a living ecosystem
Château de Fosse-Sèche
An estate of the Saumur area (Loire Valley), led since 1998 by the Keller-Pire family. 17 hectares of vines on a Jurassic bedrock of flint and iron oxides, farmed organically and biodynamically, an LPO Refuge. Straight, precise, mineral wines.
A medieval heritage, a contemporary vision. Born in the Middle Ages under the Benedictine monks, Château de Fosse-Seche today cultivates a singular style, led since 1998 by the Keller-Pire family. The second generation, Adrien and Guillaume, has taken the reins and pursues a demanding path: translating the personality of a unique place into wines of identity.
A rare Jurassic terroir in the Saumur area
Against the grain of the limestone tuffeaux that dominate the Saumur vineyard, Fosse-Seche sits on a Jurassic bedrock made of flint and iron oxides. Across 45 hectares in a single block, 17 hectares of vines benefit from a slightly convex, cool and ventilated exposure. The result: straight, precise, taut wines, where ripe fruit meets a vibrant minerality.
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An exemplary biodiversity refuge
Here, nature is not an argument: it is a way of life. A pond, flowering fallows, organic alfalfa and areas left wild make up a complete ecosystem. The estate is classified as an LPO Refuge and farmed organically. Birds, insects, bats, amphibians: a whole living world lives together and inspires a viticulture of observation, measure and patience.
The cellar: precision without make-up
Beyond the barrels, the cellar holds egg-shaped amphorae in clay concrete (Nomblot). Their shape favours natural micro-oxygenation without parasitic oaky character, an ideal thermal inertia and Brownian movements that refine the texture. Lees work protects the wine, limits sulphur and reinforces fruit purity. The aim: to go further in the legibility and sincerity of the wine, without artifice.
The grape varieties
Four grapes shape the estate's identity: Cabernet Franc, all floral finesse, suppleness and notes of raspberry and violet; Cabernet Sauvignon, structure and ageing potential, on blackberry and blueberry; Chenin, chiselled dry or sweet from tries, between lemongrass, quince and honey; and Chardonnay, elegance, tension and brilliance.
The cuvees to discover
From chiselled whites to siliceous reds, each cuvee translates the flint-iron signature of the terroir. Here are the cuvees to discover direct from the estate.
Eolithe
Red - Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Sauvignon
A crystalline expression of the siliceous terroir, on whole fruit: concentration without heaviness, the estate's flagship cuvee.
Gondwana
Red - aged on lees in an egg-shaped vat
Satiny tannins, finesse and length, refined by ageing on lees in an egg-shaped amphora.
Laurasie
Red - mineral depth
A tight yet airy matter, with a noble bouquet and the mineral depth marked by the silex-iron bedrock.
Pangée
Red - 50% Cabernet Sauvignon / 50% Cabernet Franc (magnum)
In magnum only: architecture and controlled power, the estate's ageworthy blend.
Réserve du Pigeonnier
Red - ultra-low yields
Density, verticality and unique relief, from the estate's lowest yields.
Arcane
Dry white - Chenin aged on lees
Density and mouth-watering straightness, on notes of honey and flowers: the chiselled dry Chenin of Fosse-Seche.
Les Tris de la Chapelle & De But en Blanc
Sweet whites - Chenin from tries
Botrytised selections aged in barrel: length, complexity, aromatic purity and luminous energy.
La Margelle
Medium-sweet white - Chardonnay
A medium-sweet Chardonnay with extended ageing, a caressing texture and rare elegance.
Organic, biodynamic and an LPO Refuge, direct from the estate
A place that marked the history of wine
Fosse-Seche holds medieval masonry vats among the oldest in France. It was also here that Paul Taveau developed, in the early 20th century, a winemaking method that gave rise to Cabernet d'Anjou, praised at the World's Fairs of 1905 (Liege) and 1910 (Brussels). History nourishes the present; the style, for its part, looks far ahead.
A viticulture of observation and patience
A pond, flowering fallows, organic alfalfa and wild zones: the living world is not decor but a partner. Organic, biodynamic and an LPO Refuge, Fosse-Seche makes biodiversity the foundation of a measured viticulture, at the service of the purity and sincerity of the wine.
Why choose the Château de Fosse-Sèche wines?
A unique Jurassic terroir. A bedrock of flint and iron oxides, rare in the Saumur area, for straight, taut, mineral wines.
Organic, biodynamic and an LPO Refuge. 17 ha of vines at the heart of a 45 ha living ecosystem, classified a Refuge of the League for the Protection of Birds.
Named wines of identity. Eolithe, Gondwana, Laurasie, Pangee, Reserve du Pigeonnier, Arcane, Les Tris de la Chapelle, De But en Blanc and La Margelle.
Eight centuries of history. Medieval vats among the oldest in France, and the cradle of Cabernet d'Anjou.
Frequently asked questions about Château de Fosse-Sèche
Where is Château de Fosse-Seche located?
In the Saumur area, in the Loire Valley. The estate spans 45 hectares in a single block, of which 17 hectares of vines, on a Jurassic bedrock of flint and iron oxides, rare in the region.
Since when has the Keller-Pire family run the estate?
Since 1998. Born in the Middle Ages under the Benedictine monks, Château de Fosse-Seche is today led by the second generation, Adrien and Guillaume Keller-Pire.
What makes the Fosse-Seche terroir so rare?
Against the grain of the limestone tuffeaux that dominate the Saumur area, Fosse-Seche sits on a Jurassic bedrock of flint and iron oxides, for straight, precise, taut wines where ripe fruit meets a vibrant minerality.
Is the estate organic?
Yes: the estate is farmed organically and biodynamically, and is classified as an LPO Refuge. A pond, flowering fallows, organic alfalfa and wild zones form a complete living ecosystem.
What is the LPO Refuge classification?
A commitment to biodiversity with the League for the Protection of Birds: birds, insects, bats and amphibians live together on the estate and inspire a viticulture of observation, measure and patience.
Which grapes does the estate work with?
Four grapes: Cabernet Franc (floral finesse, raspberry, violet), Cabernet Sauvignon (structure and ageing), Chenin (chiselled dry or sweet from tries) and Chardonnay (elegance and tension).
What are the cuvees of Château de Fosse-Seche?
In red: Eolithe, Gondwana, Laurasie, Pangee (magnum) and Reserve du Pigeonnier. In white: Arcane (dry), Les Tris de la Chapelle and De But en Blanc (sweet) and La Margelle (medium-sweet Chardonnay).
What is the Eolithe cuvee?
The estate's flagship cuvee, in red: a crystalline expression of the siliceous terroir, on whole fruit, with fine concentration and no heaviness.
What are the amphorae used in the cellar?
Beyond barrels, the cellar holds egg-shaped amphorae in clay concrete (Nomblot): their shape favours natural micro-oxygenation without oaky character, an ideal thermal inertia and lees work that limits sulphur and reinforces fruit purity.
What role did Fosse-Seche play in the history of wine?
The estate holds medieval masonry vats among the oldest in France. It was here that Paul Taveau developed, in the early 20th century, a winemaking method at the origin of Cabernet d'Anjou, praised at the World's Fairs of Liege (1905) and Brussels (1910).
Which dishes to enjoy with these wines?
The siliceous reds accompany meats, game and mature cheeses; the dry Chenin Arcane elevates fish and poultry; the sweet wines from tries and the medium-sweet Chardonnay are enjoyed with desserts, foie gras and blue cheeses.
Can you buy the Fosse-Seche wines directly?
Yes: the cuvees are available here, direct from the estate, carefully shipped across France and Europe.
Direct from the estate, organic, biodynamic and an LPO Refuge
Château de Fosse-Seche - an estate of the Saumur area (Loire Valley), 17 ha of vines on Jurassic flint and iron-oxide bedrock, organic, biodynamic and an LPO Refuge.
Eolithe, Gondwana, Laurasie, Pangee, Reserve du Pigeonnier, Arcane, Les Tris de la Chapelle, De But en Blanc and La Margelle