Château de Fesles

Château de Fesles is certainly one of Anjou's oldest vineyards. It is located in the extreme south of the Coteaux du Layon, near the village of Bonnezeaux, in the Loire Valley. Great wines of international renown have been made here for almost a thousand years. Classified as an exceptional terroir, the Château de Fesles parcels planted with Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc produce Anjou Blanc sec, Anjou Blanc rouge and Bonnezeaux. The vines occupy the highest slopes surrounding the village. Magnificently exposed, south and south-west, they overlook the Layon river.

The legendary "La Chapelle" parcel behind the estate's château faces due south on the Layon. Until 2001, it produced some of the estate's finest Bonnezeaux. In 2002, Bernard Germain's bold gamble (he's been in charge since 1996) led to the Château de Fesles ' highest-quality plot producing its first dry Anjou Blanc cuvée. The Chenin vines, the oldest of which are almost 70 years old, are planted on a schist and phtanite terroir. The grapes are harvested by hand, with up to 3 successive selections. Only perfectly ripe grapes are picked. Vinification takes place in 400-liter oak barrels, followed by 18 months of barrel ageing. Today, Château de Fesles is owned by Bernard Germain, who bought it 10 years ago from the famous pastry chef Gaston Lenôtre. Since then, he has kept up the great tradition, and has brought a wealth of know-how to bear to ensure the continued progress of the château's other white ranges, notably the dry whites, such as this cuvée "La Chapelle", the expression of a great terroir!