Domaine Le Rocher des Violettes

Domaine Le Rocher des Violettes is run by Xavier Weisskopf, who began his professional career as a cellar master at Château Saint-Cosme in Gigondas, in the Côtes-du-Rhône. Since 2005, he has presided over a 13-hectare vineyard—9 hectares in the Montlouis AOC and 4 in the Touraine AOC—in the commune of Saint-Martin-le-Beau, on the northern slope of the Cher Valley, a small village near Montlouis-sur-Loire.

Most of the plots at Domaine Le Rocher des Violettes were planted before 1940, and some are celebrating their 117th anniversary this year. The vineyards are managed using highly sustainable methods, without the use of fertilizers or synthetic chemicals. Cordon pruning helps maintain yields at approximately 30 hectoliters per hectare. Harvesting is done by hand, and the grapes are transported in small crates to preserve the integrity of the berries and limit oxidation. In the cellar, the wines are aged in Allier oak barrels or stainless steel tanks for 6 to 24 months, depending on the cuvée.

Since 2009, Domaine Le Rocher des Violettes has been certified organic.