Vineyards in La Loire

This small vineyard producing the Valençay AOC is run by Albane and Bertrand Minchin in the La Tour Saint Martin estate.

The little known sweet white wines of the Coteaux d'Aubance are produced on the hills close to the Aubance river. The appellation wines cover a tiny area of land growing only Chenin Blanc grapes. Grapes are manually harvested using the goblet method. These wines age well.

This medieval château, with a tower and a courtyard, was home to Roland Michel Barrin, Marquis of Galissonnière, in the 18th century. A Lieutenant General of the Naval Armed Forces, he distinguished himself in Fort Mahon in 1756 with victory against the English.

The wines produced by the Saumur-Champigny vineyards are regarded as some of the best in the Saumur region. Having a deep red colour and a cherry aroma, their reds are produced predominantly from the Cabernet Franc grape.

The Louis de Grenelle house develops fine sparkling wines: Crémant de Loire, Saumur Rosé and Saumur Brut. Created in 1859, it remains the last independent and family-owned sparkling wine company. Using Chenin, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc grapes, their wines are nurtured in classic tuffeau (limestone) caves. Its 38 hectares of vineyards are located in the grounds of the Château de la Durandière. It offers an excellent comprehensive and interactive wine tour.

The Maison des Vins de Bourgueil, located in the town of Bourgueil, is located in a 15th century restored house. It offers a wine-tasting tour with a selection of locally produced wines of differing vintages. It also has over 80 different local wines for sale in its shop.

Located in Villiers, this wine cooperative is a collection of 20 growers and dates back to 1929. The wines come from a wide range of grapes; Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Côt, Grolleau, Gamay, Chenin and Pineau d'Aunis. They produce Vin de Pays and appellation wines.

Standing in the heart of the Loire, by the sleepy market town of Rochefort-sur-Loire, this family has been producing wine since the 17th century.

Producing a third of the total Montloius AOC wines, these vineyards cover 350 hectares between Montlouis-sur-Loire, St Martin le Beau and Lussault-sur-Loire. It produces both still and sparkling wines in its caves through a cooperative of 25 winegrowers, with winemaking controlled by a Master Winemaker. The ancient limestone quarry cellars are a maze of tunnels containing over two million bottles of wine.

These small vineyards and winery, run by Alphonse Delecheneau, are a family business producing some excellent organic wines without the use of chemicals or additives.

Created in 1928 by Victor and his son Gaston Huet, this domain has been run by Noel Pinguet, son of Gaston Huet, for the last 30 years. It now accounts for 35 hectares spread over three main properties: Le Haut-Lieu, Le Mont and Le Clos du Bourg. Using biodynamic methods, it produces some good Vouvray wines. Tasting can be arranged by appointment.

This wine house in Ancenis offers a good way of discovering the wines of the Coteaux d'Ancenis VDQS and their production methods before heading off to visit some of the wine-growers individually.

Bouvet-Ladubay was the first exporter of Saumur Brut wines and continues to be a luxurious home-made wine producer. The location used to be an underground cathedral for the Saint Florent monks and its cellars are the very same ones used by the monks in the 11th century.

This wine estate is located in the hamlet of Moncé which stretches along the wooded hillside near Limeray. These caves are run by the Catroux family who've been producing wines for over a century.

The Filliatreau family have been making Saumur-Champigny wines in their vineyards at this troglodyte manor for only 20 years. This family business produces some excellent vintages and is worth a visit to see both the caves and go on their wine-tasting tour.

This Royal Millésime vineyard is run by Mathias Levron and Régis Vincenot and produces appellation Saumur-Champigny wines from their 26 hectares of land. Producing some good quality still and sparkling whites as well as the classic red, this 19th century château is worth a visit.

Made with vines grown on slate soils, this domaine produces some of the finest Anjou-Villages red and Coteaux de l'Aubance white wines in the region. They also produce some good rosés and Cremant and have repeatedly won medals for their wines.

Located in the south of the region, in Varrains, this vineyard has an excellent reputation for producing good Saumur-Champigny wines.