Château de Fesles

Château de Fesles is undoubtedly one of the oldest vineyards in Anjou. It is located at the southernmost tip of the Coteaux du Layon, near the village of Bonnezeaux in the Loire Valley. For almost a thousand years, this estate has been producing wines of international renown. Classified as an exceptional terroir, the vineyards of Château de Fesles are planted with Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc grapes, which are used to produce dry white Anjou, red Anjou, and Bonnezeaux wines. The vines occupy the highest hillsides surrounding the village. Magnificently exposed to the south and southwest, they overlook the Layon River.

The legendary "La Chapelle"plot, located behind the château, faces south towards the Layon. Until 2001, it produced the estate's finest Bonnezeaux wines. In 2002, Bernard Germain, owner since 1996, took a bold gamble and decided to use the highest quality plot at Château de Fesles to produce his first dry Anjou Blanc cuvée. The Chenin vines, the oldest of which are nearly 70 years old, are planted on schist and phthane soil. The vines are cultivated using sustainable methods and the grapes are harvested by hand in up to three successive passes. This ensures that only perfectly ripe bunches are picked. The wine is vinified in 400-liter oak barrels, then aged in barrels for 18 months. Château de Fesles is now owned by Bernard Germain, who bought it 10 years ago from the famous pastry chef Gaston Lenôtre. He has maintained the great tradition and brought his expertise to bear in order to continue to improve the château's other white wine ranges, particularly the dry whites, such as this "La Chapelle" cuvée, the expression of a great terroir!