Domaine des Tilleuls - Loire

The History of the Lime Tree Estate

The Domaine des Tilleuls is a winery established in the Muscadet vineyard since 1905. Five generations have succeeded each other since its foundation. The creator of the domain was named Auguste Godefroy, he started with only a few parcels of vines, planted on the place called Les Corbetières, in the commune of La Regrippière.

Auguste passed on the Domaine des Tilleuls to his daughter, who was married to a winemaker named Gabriel Houssin. The association of the lands of the two families allows to reach the modest size of 5 hectares. It is also the occasion to build a stone cellar, hosting a barrel cellar and some underground vats, covered with glass tiles, as it is the custom in the Nantes region.

Later, the couple's son, Gaby, and his wife, Juliette, expanded the estate by buying the farm at Les Tilleuls. They added other vineyards belonging to the Muscadet vineyard, as well as agricultural land to their estate. To take on the increase in production, new equipment was built: a press and underground tanks.

It is then to the son of Gaby and Juliette, Daniel, to take over the Domaine des Tilleuls in 1989. He opted for the exclusive exploitation of the vineyard, which implied restructuring the vineyard - with notably the addition of Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay grapes - and reorganizing the winery.

The latest generation in charge of Domaine des Tilleuls are the two siblings, Jerome and Noémie. The vineyard now covers 35 hectares.

The Domaine des Tilleuls vineyard

The Domaine des Tilleuls vineyard occupies plots not exceeding 90 meters in altitude. The soil is made up of clay, silica and schist, but also other types of terroirs made up of various volcanic rocks. The vines benefit from the oceanic climate of the Nantes region, with hot, dry summers and mild winters, without extreme temperatures.

The estate is managed in integrated agriculture which respects the vegetative cycle of the vine. Phytosanitary treatments are reduced to the extreme, favoring natural care.

The Domaine des Tilleuls is made up of four grape varieties, including Melon de Bourgogne which represents the king grape variety of the Muscadet appellation. The other grape varieties are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc.

The wines of Domaine des Tilleuls

Domaine des Tilleuls produces three wines from the AOP Muscadet d'exception, made with the Melon de Bourgogne grape.
- Essential
- Les Vénérables Vieilles Vignes
- Vallet

Domaine des Tilleuls also produces various IGP Val de Loire wines :
- Chardonnay Belle Aisance
- Chardonnay Sélection
- Sauvignon Blanc Selection
- Cabernet Franc Le Bel Ouvrage

Finally, Domaine des Tilleuls offers a brut sparkling wine, made from the Chardonnay grape : Les Fines Perles, traditional method.

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