Situated in the heart of the Bourgueil appellation, midway between Tours and Saumur, Château de Minière covers 29 hectares of vineyards dedicated to Cabernet Franc, the signature grape of the region. The vineyards, averaging over 50 years in age with some vines surpassing a century, are planted at a density of 4500-5000 vines per hectare.
Under the stewardship of owner Kathleen Van den Berghe, Château de Minière has embraced organic viticulture, and has been certified by Ecocert since 2010. The commitment to organic farming practices is evident in every aspect of vineyard management. The estate employs traditional tillage methods and avoids chemical fertilizers, instead opting for natural soil amendments to maintain soil health and foster biodiversity. Cover crops such as barley and oats are sown between vine rows to aerate the soil and encourage a thriving biotope.
The diverse terroir of Château de Minière is a key element in the production of its exceptional wines. The older vines thrive on the tuffeau limestone hillsides, while younger vines are planted on the lighter sandy and gravelly soils formed by the Loire River. This variety in soil composition, ranging from gravelly sites along the river to a mixture of clay, limestone, and silica on the hillsides, imparts unique characteristics to the wines, resulting in a superb bouquet that reflects the estate’s terroir.
At Château de Minière, viticultural techniques such as ploughing, grassing, leaf pulling, and green harvesting are meticulously applied to ensure the highest quality grapes. The vines are trained in the single cane Guyot system, and the harvest is conducted manually. The grapes undergo rigorous sorting before being gently pressed with a pneumatic press. The musts are fermented over ambient yeasts in stainless steel tanks. thermo-regulatged at low temperatures (14°-16°C), to preserve the delicate aromas and flavors of the Cabernet Franc.
The estate’s dedication to environmental stewardship extends beyond the vineyards. Château de Minière promotes biodiversity through various initiatives, including maintaining a bird sanctuary and beehives. These efforts not only enhance the natural beauty of the estate but also contribute to the ecological balance essential for sustainable viticulture.
