Portraits of winemakers

CHÂTEAU DU PETIT THOUARS: GOURMET WINES WITH GOOD AGEING POTENTIAL

Sébastien du Petit Thouars: A Unique Journey in Winemaking

A Background in Music Before Embracing Wine

Sébastien du Petit Thouars has an unconventional career path. After studying at the Sciences Po Strasbourg Institute, followed by economics and commerce, he ventured into the music industry. However, did his passion for wine come later in life? Not exactly. The Petit Thouars family has been involved in winemaking for several generations, dating back to 1634. "My family has had continuous generations of winemakers, with one exception. In 2009, my father invited me to join the estate to develop the commercial and oenotouristic aspects. The offer intrigued me, and I decided to continue the family tradition," explains Sébastien. Since then, Sébastien has worked closely with his father, Yves, and the cellar master, Michel Pinard.

Château du Petit Thouars: Light, Fruity Wines That Are "Easy to Drink"

Located in the village of Saint-Germain-sur-Vienne in the heart of the Touraine appellation and close to the towns of Saumur and Chinon, Château du Petit Thouars now encompasses 16 hectares of vineyards and specializes in producing red wines. "In the 1970s, my father inherited the estate and began planting new vines, primarily Cabernet Franc. Since 2010, we have also acquired some Chenin Blanc parcels, allowing us to produce white wine," Sébastien notes.

Influenced by its clay-limestone terroir, Château du Petit Thouars is known for producing "delicious, light, and easy-to-drink wines." "We benefit from a hillside terroir overlooking the Vienne River. The vines dig deep to extract maximum water and minerals, which enriches our grapes. We harvest a bit later than others to ensure the grapes are highly mature, which is reflected in the fruity character of our wines," Sébastien emphasizes. This trait is also present in their 100% Chenin Blanc dry white wine, which is very fruit-forward.

Unique Production of Press Wines

Another significant feature of Château du Petit Thouars is its production of press wines, which are made from the marc (the dry residue of the grapes) after pressing. This winemaking process produces more tannic and complex wines that age well beyond 7 years. "We offer two types of wines: the fruity and approachable 'everyday wine' enjoyed with a barbecue, and the more structured wine to be cellared for several years," summarizes the winemaker.

Oenotourism: Picnics Among the Vines and Loire River Walks

While future projects abound at Château du Petit Thouars, such as planting new grape varieties and developing new cuvées, Sébastien's top priority remains enhancing their oenotourism efforts. Since joining the estate, several new experiences have been introduced to explore the wines and terroir of the domain: picnics among the vines, boat trips on the Loire River, and wine tastings in converted historic stables. "Through these activities, we aim to share the history of the estate and our family while conveying the spirit of our cuvées: generous wines with character, meant to be enjoyed with friends and paired with quality local products."