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Domaine Coulée-de-Serrant Winery Guide
EXPLORE ALL OUR RECOMMENDED FRENCH WINERIES
Last updated: November 24, 2023
Winery Overview
No other property in the Loire arouses such passion and diverse opinion as the estate of Coulée-de-Serrant. Many producers cast a slightly envious eye over their prized Chenin Blanc vineyards, without question the most privileged terroir within the appellation. Their wines cause great controversy, with admirers and critics in both camps.
The estate began its life in 1839 when it was designed by the architect Edouard Moll. It is a substantial residence of great beauty that has survived two World Wars and remains largely unchanged. Successive Walsh de Serrant family generations owned the property during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1830 the ownership passed through marriage to the Duc de la Trémoïlle, where it remained until 1894, when, threatened with the cost of having to replant the whole vineyard after phylloxera hit, the Trémoïlles decided to sell up. As with so many wine estates in France, during the first half of the 20th century, the Château changed hands quite a few times! The defining moment in its history came in 1962 when André Joly purchased the property. His son Nicolas continues to run the estate today with great energy, passionately defending some of his more controversial decisions.
The vineyards here have been fully certified biodynamic since 1985. Three wines are produced from the Chenin Blanc variety grown in distinct terroirs. Nicolas Joly’s personal mantra states, ‘I don’t only want a good wine but also a true wine,’ and there can be no doubt that these are unique and complex wines, offering an incredible bouquet with age. Nicolas is committed to Biodynamic farming, and some of his methods attract criticism; he believes that the less man interferes with nature, the better. Whatever you make of his wines, love or hate them, we guarantee you won’t be left feeling indifferent. If we were to measure the greatness of a wine by the reaction it invokes, then Coulée- de- Serrant would be top of the class!
Wines produced
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Coulée de Serrant
100% Chenin Blanc. Fermented in oak barrels and ages in 5% new oak. Produced from low yielding vineyards. -
Clos de la Bergerie
100% Chenin Blanc. Fermented in oak barrels and ages in 5% new oak. Produced from low yielding vineyards from a unique terroir distinct from Coulée de Serrant. -
Vieux Clos
100% Chenin Blanc. Fermented in stainless steel. Produced from low yielding vineyards.
Winery Contact Details
Domaine Coulée-de-Serrant
Chateau de la Roche aux Moines49170 Savennieres
France
Email: [email protected]
Tel +33 (0) 02 41 72 22 32
Fax +33 (0) 02 41 72 28 68 Find out more
Facts & Figures
Appellation
Savennières
Founded
1152
Area under Vine
12 Hectares
Age of vines
30 years+
Oak barrel origin
French
Winemaker
Nicolas Joly and Virginie Joly
Owner
Nicolas Joly
Production
18,000 bottles per annum
Grape varietals
Chenin Blanc
Grape Varieties Used by the Winery
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Chenin Blanc
Winery Appellations
Author
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More information
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