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Château du Petit Thouars
Château du Petit Thouars, a Chinon and Anjou estate since 1636: cabernet franc and chenin, direct from the estate...
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Domaine du Petit Thouars: four centuries of history, one family, a living vineyard
Chateau du Petit Thouars
A family estate of the Loire Valley, in AOC Chinon since 1636. 16 hectares on limestone soils, troglodyte cellars, Cabernet Franc and Chenin. Cuvees Amiral, L'Epee, Les Georges, Le Clos and Les Foux.
In the gentleness of the Loire Valley, the Domaine du Petit Thouars moves forward with a rare singularity: here, the vine is not just a profession, it is a heritage carried from father to son since 1636. It all begins with Georges Aubert, a gentleman of Poitou, who buys the chateau and its vineyard on the advice of Cardinal de Richelieu.
Since then, each generation has written a chapter of this story, blending maritime adventures, botanical explorations, heroic battles and now the art of creating wines that speak of the place as much as of those who shape them.
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A family rebirth: from an old map to a 16-hectare vineyard
When Yves and Marguerite du Petit Thouars married in 1974, nothing predestined them to become winegrowers. Yet a simple discovery would change everything: in the chateau's archives were maps proving that vines had existed here centuries before. Touched by this call from the past, they patiently replanted the first plots, equipped a cellar in the corridors of natural limestone caves and gave birth to a recognised vineyard, cultivated with constancy and passion.
Marguerite, a true wine figure, became a critic for Cuisine et Vins de France, Le Figaro and L'Amateur de Bordeaux. Yves, a former director of the Baccarat Crystalworks, drove a demanding vision: to bring a terroir back to life and create wines worthy of its history.
In 2008, their son Sebastien joined the adventure to develop the estate's communication and reach. Here you discover a whole family driven by the love of wine, attention to detail and a deep taste for stories: those of people, of the sea and of grapes.
Extraordinary ancestors, an enduring spirit
The name du Petit Thouars resonates like a saga. In this lineage, one meets visionary botanists, explorers fascinated by the oceans and naval officers with novel-like destinies:
Aristide du Petit Thouars
1760-1798
Hero of the seas, who died at Aboukir after refusing to abandon his command despite his wounds.
Louis-Marie du Petit Thouars
1758-1831
Renowned botanist, orchid specialist, creator of the Pamplemousses garden in Mauritius and director of the royal nursery.
Abel du Petit Thouars
1793-1864
Explorer, author of the round-the-world voyage aboard the Venus, architect of the French protectorate of Tahiti.
Abel-Nicolas Bergasse du Petit Thouars
1832-1890
Vice-admiral, defender of Lima in Peru, where an avenue bears his name today.
This lineage of sailors, scholars and free spirits has shaped the estate's identity. Even today, one feels this adventurous energy in the wines: a blend of rigour, drive and character.
A Loire vineyard shaped by stone and patience
The Petit Thouars vineyard extends over 16 hectares at the heart of the Chinon appellation, on limestone soils suited to elegant, straight wines. The natural troglodyte cellars offer ideal ageing conditions, with constant coolness and perfect humidity.
The philosophy is simple: sustainable farming, manual harvesting, precise ageing, respect for the rhythm of the vine and the grape. Each vintage is worked like a new page: seeking purity, freshness, the right fruit, the fine structure.
The cuvees of the Domaine du Petit Thouars: character, finesse and identity
The wines of Petit Thouars are part of an artisanal approach, with ageing adapted to each cuvee. Cabernet Franc is master here, but the estate also knows how to reveal superb Chenin whites and delicious sparkling wines.
Cuvee Amiral
Chinon red - Cabernet Franc
The estate's most ambitious cuvee. Made solely from the press wines of exceptional vintages, it is aged for 24 months in oak barrels, renewed halfway through. Powerful, elegant wines of great length, with melted tannins. Built for ageing (10 to 15 years).
L'Epee
Chinon red - Cabernet Franc
A characterful red, aged 15 to 18 months in barrels that previously held two wines. Restrained power, roundness, crunchy fruit and a perfectly integrated oaky note. Accessible young, but able to age 5 to 10 years.
Les Georges
Chinon red - Cabernet Franc
The pleasure cuvee, fresh and vibrant. Aged in stainless steel for about 6 months, it offers summer wines full of aromas, to drink now or within 3 to 5 years. A wine of conviviality par excellence.
Le Clos - Chenin Blanc
Chinon white - Chenin
Here the estate reveals the full potential of its limestone terroir. Hand-harvested, fermented and aged in used oak barrels, this Chenin shows superb purity, between freshness, finesse and delicate structure. A rare, sought-after white that will age several more years.
Les Foux
Sparkling wine - blanc de noirs Cabernet Franc
Made using the traditional champenoise method, this blanc de noirs based on Cabernet Franc is a lively, fine and elegant sparkling wine that rests a long time on the lees. A Loire sparkling wine full of charm and balance.
Chinon red, Chenin white and sparkling, direct from the estate
A living, welcoming estate, focused on transmission
Chateau du Petit Thouars is not only a place where wine is made: it is a place where a story is told, where a heritage is shared. Visitors discover a passionate family, a rare heritage, spectacular troglodyte cellars and a wine philosophy that favours sincerity, precision and the joy of hosting.
The spirit of the estate holds in three words: family, history, elegance.
Why choose the wines of the Domaine du Petit Thouars
A historic family estate. The vine carried from father to son since 1636, at the heart of the Chinon appellation.
Cabernet Franc in majesty. Elegant, straight Chinon reds, from immediate pleasure to great ageing.
Troglodyte cellars. Precise ageing in natural limestone caves, cool and humid.
A complete range. Cuvee Amiral, L'Epee, Les Georges, Le Clos (Chenin) and Les Foux (sparkling).
Direct from the estate. From the Loire to your table, your wines travel the shortest route, carefully shipped across France and Europe.
Your questions about the Domaine du Petit Thouars
Where is Chateau du Petit Thouars located?
The estate is located in Saint-Germain-sur-Vienne, at the heart of the Chinon appellation, in the Loire Valley, on limestone soils suited to elegant, straight wines.
Since when has the du Petit Thouars family grown vines?
Here the vine is a heritage passed from father to son since 1636, when Georges Aubert, a gentleman of Poitou, bought the chateau and its vineyard on the advice of Cardinal de Richelieu. The vineyard was replanted from 1974.
Who runs the Domaine du Petit Thouars today?
Yves and Marguerite du Petit Thouars revived the vineyard from 1974; in 2008, their son Sebastien joined the adventure to develop the estate's reach.
What is the size of the vineyard and its appellation?
The vineyard extends over 16 hectares at the heart of the Chinon appellation, with natural troglodyte cellars offering ideal ageing conditions, cool and humid.
Which grapes does the Domaine du Petit Thouars grow?
Cabernet Franc is master here for the reds; the estate also reveals superb Chenin whites and a Cabernet Franc sparkling wine.
What are the cuvees of the Domaine du Petit Thouars?
The reds Cuvee Amiral, L'Epee and Les Georges, the white Le Clos (Chenin Blanc) and the sparkling Les Foux; the Rose du Petit Thouars also joins the range.
What is the Cuvee Amiral?
The estate's most ambitious cuvee: made from the press wines of exceptional vintages, it is aged for 24 months in oak barrels. Powerful, elegant and built for ageing (10 to 15 years).
Which Petit Thouars wine should you drink young?
Les Georges, the fresh and vibrant pleasure cuvee aged in stainless steel, drinks now or within 3 to 5 years. A wine of conviviality par excellence.
Does the estate produce whites and sparkling wines?
Yes: Le Clos, a Chenin Blanc aged in used oak barrels, and Les Foux, a sparkling wine made using the traditional method, a blanc de noirs based on Cabernet Franc.
Which Domaine du Petit Thouars wines should you discover to understand the estate's identity?
To grasp the estate's identity, discover the Cuvee Amiral (the summit of the ageworthy reds), Le Clos in Chenin Blanc (the expression of the limestone terroir) and the sparkling Les Foux: three cuvees that sum up the finesse, freshness and character of Petit Thouars.
Which dishes pair with a Petit Thouars Chinon?
The reds accompany meats, game and cheeses; Les Georges is enjoyed as an aperitif or with summer dishes; Le Clos enhances fish and poultry; Les Foux makes a fine festive aperitif.
Where can you buy Domaine du Petit Thouars 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 the Chinon appellation
Chateau du Petit Thouars - A family estate of the Loire Valley, in AOC Chinon since 1636.
Cuvees Amiral, L'Epee, Les Georges, Le Clos (Chenin) and Les Foux (sparkling)
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