This 17-hectare family estate is situated in Bué, the heart of Sancerre. The agriculture and winemaking are essentially organic and biodynamic. Clément and Florent Pinard work their vineyards by hand, with plowing and hoeing; all chemical treatments are eschewed, and cover crops are frequently planted between rows.
The soil in their Sauvignon Blanc vineyards is mostly comprised of les caillottes, an admixture of marl and limestone gravel; the Pinot Noir vineyards in Thauvenay contain more clay. To restain yields of grapes on each plant, the Pinards prune severely, using the Guyot method, and practice debudding and green harvest, as well as rigorous triage at harvest. Similarly, their winemaking style is non-interventionist.
The Sauvignon Blanc is pressed with whole clusters, fermented in stainless steel and seasoned demi-muids over indigenous yeasts, and malolactic fermentation is blocked. The flagship Florès is raised in steel tanks, although there is seasoned oak employed for élevage of other cuvées of red and white. The Pinot Noir is completely destemmed, cold macerated and fermented with native yeasts in conical vats, with light punch downs and pumping over, racked by gravity and bottled without fining or filtration.
● COUNTRY
● France
● REGION
● Loire
● APPELLATION(S)
● Sancerre
● WINEMAKER
● Clément Pinard & Florent Pinard
● FOUNDED
● 1996
● VINEYARD AREA
● 17 hectares
● FARMING
● Certified Organic
● WEBSITE
● domaine-pinard.com
