Valentin Desloges, a winemaker by passion
A very promising young estate
Valentin Desloges, son of winegrowers fromTouraineHe inherited his passion for wine at a very young age. His academic path led him to obtain a BTS (Advanced Vocational Diploma) in viticulture and oenology in the Bordeaux region, where he acquired the essential knowledge for his profession. Eager to broaden his horizons and refine his skills,ValentinHe flew to New Zealand in 2015, where he developed a particular interest in Sauvignon Blanc. Upon returning to France, he continued his training with renowned winemakers, including:
- Vincent Sipp(Alsace)
- thereTodeschini familyAtChâteau Mangot(Saint-Émilion)
- Thierry and Paul Pillot(Chassagne-Montrachet)
- Raphaël Coche(Coche-Dury, Meursault)
These mentors, from diverse terroirs, passed on to him invaluable know-how, both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Strengthened by these enriching experiences,Valentindecides to return to his Loire Valley roots to embark on his own winemaking adventure. He takes over a magnificent plot of vines betweenWalnut treesAndSaint-Aignan, in the heart of theLoire Valleyand gives birth to the DomaineThe Four PillarsFrom the outset, he opted for a conversion intoorganic farming, thus highlighting its commitment to environmental preservation.Valentinembodies the new generation of passionate and dedicated winemakers.
An atypical vineyard
A range of exceptional terroirs
The 10-hectare vineyard is located in the heart of the appellation.TouraineThe estate is divided into nearly 25 plots. On this succession of "small gardens," Sauvignon Blanc (mostly), Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and Côt (Malbec) flourish in predominantly clay-limestone soils.DearLocated less than a kilometer from the vines, it maintains constant proximity to the vineyards, promoting the circulation of warm air currents. These currents contribute to the health of the vines and reinforce the oceanic influence coming from the west and theLoireThe river divides the estate's vineyards into two distinct zones on the right and left banks. On the right bank, located in the commune ofNoyers-sur-CherinTouraine5 hectares of vines are planted in 2 known locations:
THE "Four Pillars", whose name is given to the estate, with 25-year-old Pinot Noir. This vineyard is located between warm terroirs, characterized by red clay at the bottom of the slopes, and cooler soils at the top.
"The Dog Well"with vines of Sauvignon Blanc (aged 15 to 50 years) and Chenin Blanc (average age 30 years), facing west. Rising as the highest point in the commune ofWalnut treesThis cool terroir is mainly composed of flinty sands and white clay.
As for the left bank, located atSaint-Aignan-sur-CherinTouraineThere are also 5 hectares of vines which are exclusively cultivated for the estate's top wines and are spread across 3 zones:
THE "Bernardières"with 45-year-old Côt vines. This warm, east-facing terroir is composed of ferruginous red clay and benefits from freshness thanks to its proximity to theDear.
The place called "Bel Air"It houses old Sauvignon Blanc vines that are around sixty years old. The plot faces southeast.
And the plot "Above Vitré", facing southwest, is home to very old 70-year-old Cabernet Franc vines.
Deep within each vineyard plot lie immense tuffeau quarries, extending up to 30 meters underground. This type of soil promotes mineral exchange and dots the vineyard withFour Pillarsof ventilation wells.
Meticulous winemaking and long aging processes
Authentic, fine and elegant wines
The grapes are harvested by hand to preserve their quality. The semi-underground cellar, located in the heart of the estate's tuffeau caves, offers a cool and ideal environment for winemaking. All the estate's wines ferment using natural yeasts. For the red wines, alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation in barrels that have held wine two or five times. The barrels come from classified Bordeaux Grand Cru vineyards for the Cabernet Franc and the...sideand Burgundy for thePinot Noir.ValentinThe focus is on long aging processes to achieve greater finesse and a smooth integration of tannins. The white wines, meanwhile, ferment entirely in oak barrels, with varying proportions of new oak depending on the cuvée. Then, certain cuvées benefit from aging on their lees to give added depth to these wines intended for cellaring. In parallel,Valentin Deslogeshas a project to create his own barrels. He dries oak staves for several years before beginning the process of crafting his custom-made barrels. His goal is to establish the Loches forest, located near the property, as the sole source of wood for the estate. This talented winemaker produces authentic and expressive wines that reflect the unique character of their terroir. Our favorite is the cuvéeBel Air. ThisSauvignon BlancIt offers a powerful and profound attack on the palate with citrus notes. We love its aromatic complexity and finesse, which leaves us with a saline finish, typical of the terroir. These are truly exceptional wines, an absolute must-try!
