Thomas Batardière

History of Thomas Batardière

Thomas Batardière was not destined to become a winemaker. Born in Angers in 1980, he initially pursued a career in anthropology and cinema. However, his passion for natural wines led him to change course in 2008, whilst working as a sommelier. Shortly after, he joined Château Yvonne in Saumur, under the tutelage of Mathieu Vallée, to refine his knowledge of viticulture.

In 2012, after several years of apprenticeship, Thomas decided to embark on his own winemaking adventure. He acquired 2 hectares of vines in Rablay-sur-Layon, in the Layon Valley, a region renowned for its Chenins. He started his winemaking project without a cellar or tractor, but with a clear ambition: to produce authentic wines without artifice. From the beginning, he adopted a biodynamic approach and obtained Demeter certification in 2015. Today, the estate spans 4 hectares, where Thomas mainly cultivates Chenin Blanc, but also Cabernet Franc and Grolleau.

Terroirs and Vines of Thomas Batardière

Thomas Batardière's estate primarily extends over the hillsides of Rablay-sur-Layon and Faye-d'Anjou. This territory is marked by schist soils, volcanic rocks and quartz, which bring great minerality to the estate's wines. The diversity of terroirs allows Thomas to create cuvées that perfectly reflect the specificities of each plot.

L'Esprit Libre comes from vines aged 15 to 90 years old on sandy and gravelly soils.

Les Cocus, one of the most emblematic plots, is situated on a south-facing slope, composed of clay and schist. The vines, planted in 1968, produce grapes of great intensity.

Les Noëls de Montbenault, a rare volcanic terroir in the region, has been planted with young vines since 2014.

These vines, cultivated according to biodynamic principles, benefit from meticulous care to preserve the natural balance of soils and plants. Thomas Batardière uses environmentally friendly cultivation practices, completely banning the use of chemical weedkillers.

Vinifications of Thomas Batardière

The estate's winemaking philosophy is based on a low-intervention approach, aiming to best express the potential of the grape and terroir. Thomas Batardière lets nature take its course, with spontaneous fermentations, without the addition of yeasts.

Fermentations mainly take place in stainless steel tanks, favouring the purity and freshness of the wines.

The ageing process is prolonged, and Thomas experiments with longer ageing to minimise the use of sulphur. When necessary, very small doses of sulphites are added just before bottling.

The goal is to produce unfiltered wines that preserve all their vitality and authenticity. Each vinification is adapted to the plot and the year, thus revealing all the nuances of the Anjou terroirs.

Thomas Batardière's Cuvées

L'Esprit Libre

Made from several plots of Chenin Blanc, this cuvée is a true homage to the purity of the grape variety. The 2022 vintage stands out for its freshness and aromatic intensity, with notes of pear and lemon blossom. A bright, direct and mineral wine.

Les Cocus

From a single plot planted in 1968, this cuvée offers a denser and more complex profile. Fermented in used 500-litre barrels, this wine reveals aromas of ripe fruits, mixed with a saline minerality. It is a wine for long keeping, capable of improving with time.

Les Noëls de Montbenault

This volcanic plot gives birth to a powerful and structured Chenin Blanc. The cuvée requires a little more time in the bottle to fully open up, but it promises a remarkable tasting experience, combining grace and energy.

Grand Clos

Special cuvée made from young vines planted on eroded terroir in Rablay-sur-Layon. This dry Chenin Blanc, bottled only in Magnum, expresses all the minerality of the soil, with a beautiful concentration of stone fruits.

Amor Fati

A light and floral red Grolleau, marked by aromas of red fruits and delicate acidity. This wine is often slightly reductive when opened, but it quickly opens up to reveal all its complexity.

Here is a selection of vintages that illustrate the estate's expertise and the richness of its terroirs: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013...

The Loire Valley region is an inexhaustible source of exceptional wines. If you appreciate Thomas Batardière's wines, here are other estates like Richard Leroy, Mark Angeli, Mai & Kenji Hodgson, Stéphane Bernaudeau...

Thomas Batardière is asserting itself as one of the most promising estates in Anjou, thanks to a rigorous approach that respects the terroir. The Chenin Blanc cuvées offered are pure and vibrant expressions of the Layon Valley, offering wines of great finesse and energy. Whether you are a lover of natural wines or characterful Chenin Blancs, Thomas Batardière's wines will seduce you with their authenticity and depth.