The Domain
Founded in 1850 by the Duveau family, Domaine des Roches Neuves was taken up by Thierry and Marie Germain in 1991. Thierry had already spent his entire life in the wine world. Originally from Bordeaux, he is in the sixth generation of winemakers in his family.
Marie and Thierry’s journey is filled with memorable encounters with wine personalities who inspired them and led them to build their own viticulture vision and wine style.
Their philosophy very clearly focuses on the living, which inspires them to create inseparable ties with the grapevine, its soil, and even animals.
The Style
The Domain is located in the heart of the Loire Valley, in the village of Varrains, 5 km from Saumur. The vineyard is spread over 61 plots, covering 28 hectares with the Saumur Champigny appellation for its red wines, and Saumur for its white wines.
Tuffeau limestone is one of the strengths of our terroir. This porous rock stores humidity that is redistributed during periods of intense drought.
The Loire River has its influence as well, with its tributary and Forest of Fontevraud contributing to create a true micro-climate.
Alternating chalky, sandy, and clay-rich soils represent a diversity of terroirs that offer infinite possibilities for the winery’s two grape varieties: Cabernet Franc and Chenin.
The winery completely converted all its operations for organic winegrowing in the late 1990s, then transitioned to biodynamic methods in the early 2000s.