Domaine les Braconniers

Domaine Les Braconniers: Eight Generations of Winegrowing Farmers (Since 1803)

Founded in Châtillon-sur-Cher in 1803, Domaine Les Braconniers carries on the legacy of the Dupuy family — winegrowing farmers from father to son (and daughter). From the first stone laid by Charles Dupuy to the family reunion in 2024 led by Franck Meunier and Jean-Philippe Dupuy, each generation has strengthened a Loire Valley savoir-faire that blends respect for tradition with a spirit of innovation.

A Family Saga That Shapes the Domaine’s Identity

From Charles I to Charles III, from Edmond “the Poacher” to Micheline, then Jean-Claude, Claudette, and the Cormier family — the red thread remains: cultivate, understand, pass on. Key milestones (first bottling in 1998, plot evolutions, modernization) mark a story where family boldness meets winemaking precision.

The Soul of the Loire: A Terroir Between Cher and Loire

• Vineyard size: 35 hectares in AOP Touraine and AOP Touraine-Chenonceaux
• Exposition: slopes overlooking the Cher River, with cool nights enhancing aromatic freshness
• Soils: limestone subsoil, sandy and stony topsoil (perruche, flint) offering finesse and minerality
• Biodiversity: hedgerows, woods, and valleys feed a vibrant ecosystem — a key to vineyard balance

Loire Grape Varieties for Characterful Wines

A carefully selected range of varietals expresses the diversity of the Loire Valley: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin, Gamay, Côt (Malbec), Cabernet Franc.

Sauvignon — the domaine’s emblematic grape — creates wines with mineral tension, citrus, exotic fruit, and white flowers. Perfect with seafood and goat cheese.

Philosophy: Transmission, Experimentation, Precision

As winegrowing farmers, we observe each vintage: careful plot selection, harvest at optimal ripeness, tailored vinification. The goal: to preserve the identity of the terroir while refining the balance and purity of our wines year after year.

Terroir & Climate: The Touraine-Chenonceaux Signature

• Clay-limestone slopes (perruche), flint
• Generous sunlight, natural ventilation
• Low rainfall = slow, steady ripening
• Result: structured wines with clean, focused aromatics

Our Wines: Selected Cuvées from Domaine Les Braconniers

• La Grive – AOP Touraine Sauvignon Blanc
  Aromas of peach, apricot, lychee; fresh palate, ample texture, long ageing on fine lees.
• Le Cerf – AOP Touraine Chenonceaux
  Full-bodied white with elegant richness, white flowers and exotic fruits; aged on fine lees for graceful development.
• Les Fossiles – Vin de France (Skin-Macerated Sauvignon)
  Orange wine profile: resin, rose, candied orange, delicate tannic structure. Aged partly in barrel, partly in amphora. Pairs with world cuisine and sweet-savory dishes.
• Le Faisan – AOP Touraine | Loire Valley
  Golden robe, ripe and dried fruits, spices; fresh and round, aged on lees with bâtonnage.
• Les Cormiers – Vin de France
  Blend of late-harvest Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc: candied fruit, vanilla notes, long and fresh finish. Ideal as an aperitif or with desserts.
• Le Chêne Rouge – Vin de France: Cabernet Franc & Côt (Malbec) Intense purple colour, a nose of ripe black fruits, a touch of spice and menthol that brings complexity and freshness. A full-bodied and fruity palate, supported by a tannic structure. Ideal with grilled red meat and soft cheese.

Tasting & Pairings: Loire Valley at Its Best

From asparagus to pike-perch, seafood to AOP Selles-sur-Cher cheese, our whites showcase purity and energy. Skin-contact cuvées invite spices and fusion dishes, while the full range reflects the balance we seek between immediate pleasure and aging potential.

A Sustainable, Forward-Thinking Vision

Soil care, hand-harvested selections, plot-specific vinifications, tailored ageing: our approach strives for precise wines true to the Touraine terroir, and a responsible viticulture rooted in local biodiversity.

Domaine Les Braconniers: finely crafted Loire wines shaped by two centuries of history and a resolutely modern energy.

Ready to explore the cuvées of Domaine Les Braconniers — AOP Touraine & Touraine-Chenonceaux — and find the Sauvignon or Chenin that matches your table?