Domaine de L'R

The R estate covers nearly 8 hectares in a vast gravel plain on the right bank of the Vienne River, in the heart of the Chinon appellation. After an initiatory journey that took him to Spain, winemaker Frédéric Sigonneau returned to Touraine in 2004 and founded his estate in 2007 on the remains of the family estate in Cravant les Coteaux. From the outset, he chose to adopt organic farming methods for his Cabernet Franc grapes, favoring a herbicide- and insecticide-free approach where the land is treated mainly with copper and sulfur. At harvest time, the grapes are picked by hand and transported in crates. In the cellar, the grapes are vatted by gravity, pumping over is kept to a minimum and indigenous yeasts are used. The vineyard management and winemaking processes are as natural as possible, and Domaine de l'R is now finding its stride as one of Chinon's leading producers, thanks to several characterful vintages that reveal a keen sense of fruit, depth, and complexity.