CHATEAU DU PETIT THOUARS

Domaine du Petit Thouars: Four Centuries of History, One Family, One Living Vineyard

In the gentle landscape of the Loire Valley, Domaine du Petit Thouars stands out with a rare singularity: here, the vine is not just a profession but a legacy passed from father to son since 1636. It all begins with Georges Aubert, a gentleman from Poitou, who purchased the château and its vineyard on the advice of Cardinal Richelieu. Since then, each generation has written a chapter in this story, blending maritime adventures, botanical explorations, heroic deeds, and today, the art of crafting wines that speak both of their land and of those who shape them.

A Family Renaissance: From the Discovery of an Ancient Plan… to a 16-Hectare Vineyard

When Yves and Marguerite du Petit Thouars married in 1974, nothing predestined them to become winemakers. Yet one discovery changed everything: in the château’s archives were ancient plans proving that vines had grown here centuries before. Moved by this call from the past, they replanted the first parcels, equipped a winery within the natural limestone caves, and gave birth to what would become a renowned vineyard, cultivated with constancy and passion.

Marguerite, a true figure in the wine world, became a critic for Cuisine et Vins de France, Le Figaro and L’Amateur de Bordeaux. Yves, former director of the Cristalleries de Baccarat, brought a demanding vision: revive a terroir and create wines worthy of its history.

In 2008, their son Sébastien joined the adventure, developing the domaine’s communication and reputation. It is here that one discovers an entire family driven by love for wine, attention to detail and a deep taste for stories—stories of people, the sea and the vineyard.

Extraordinary Ancestors, A Spirit That Lives On

The name Petit Thouars reads like an epic. In this lineage, one meets visionary botanists, explorers fascinated by the oceans and naval officers with extraordinary destinies:

• Aristide du Petit Thouars (1760–1798): a naval hero who died at Aboukir after refusing to give up command despite his wounds.
• Louis-Marie du Petit Thouars (1758–1831): a renowned botanist, orchid specialist, creator of the Pamplemousse botanical garden in Mauritius and director of the royal nursery.
• Abel du Petit Thouars (1793–1864): an unstoppable explorer, who circumnavigated the globe aboard La Vénus and played a key role in establishing the French protectorate over Tahiti.
• Abel-Nicolas Bergasse du Petit Thouars (1832–1890): vice-admiral, defender of Lima in Peru, where a major avenue still bears his name.

This lineage of sailors, scholars and free spirits has shaped the domaine’s identity. Even today, one feels this adventurous energy in the wines: a blend of precision, drive and character.

A Loire Vineyard Forged by Stone and Patience

The Petit Thouars vineyard stretches across 16 hectares in the heart of the Chinon appellation, on limestone soils ideal for producing elegant, straight wines. The natural troglodyte caves provide perfect ageing conditions, with constant cool temperatures and steady humidity.

The philosophy is simple: sustainable farming, manual harvesting, precise ageing, and respect for the rhythm of the vine and the grape. Each vintage is crafted like a fresh page—seeking purity, freshness, precise fruit and fine structure.

The Wines of Domaine du Petit Thouars: Character, Finesse and Identity

The wines of Petit Thouars are crafted with an artisanal approach, with ageing adapted to each cuvée. Cabernet Franc reigns here, but the domaine also reveals superb Chenin Blancs and charming sparkling wines.

Cuvée Amiral: The domaine’s most ambitious cuvée. Produced only from the press wines of exceptional vintages, it is aged for 24 months in oak barrels, renewed halfway through ageing. The result: powerful, elegant wines with great length and silky tannins. Built for ageing, they evolve beautifully over 10 to 15 years.

L’Épée: A red wine of strong character, aged 15 to 18 months in barrels that have held two previous wines. It shows controlled power, roundness, crisp fruit and perfectly integrated oak. Accessible young, yet capable of ageing for 5 to 10 years.

Les Georges: The pleasure cuvée—fresh and radiant. Aged in stainless steel for around 6 months, it offers aromatic, summery wines, ready to drink now or within 3 to 5 years. A convivial wine par excellence.

Le Clos – Chenin Blanc: A showcase of the limestone terroir’s potential. Hand-harvested, fermented and aged in used oak barrels, this Chenin displays superb purity—freshness, finesse and delicate structure. A rare, sought-after white that will age gracefully for several years.

Les Foux – Sparkling Wine : Produced using the traditional Champagne method, this blanc de noirs made from Cabernet Franc is a vibrant, fine and elegant sparkling wine, aged long on lees. A charming, well-balanced Loire effervescent.

A Living, Welcoming Estate Focused on Transmission

Château du Petit Thouars is not just a place where wine is made—it is a place where a story is shared and a heritage passed on. Visitors discover a passionate family, a rare historical setting, spectacular troglodyte caves and a wine philosophy rooted in sincerity, precision and the joy of hosting.

The spirit of the domaine can be summed up in three words: family, history, elegance.

Which wines from Domaine du Petit Thouars should you absolutely discover to understand the identity of the vineyard ?