G. & J. Guillerault / Sebastian Fargette
Gilles Guillerault and Sébastien Fargette are based in Crézancy-en-Sancerre, a few kilometres west of Sancerre, in the Centre-Loire region. A lovely hilly landscape where vineyards alternate with charming villages. With around 2400 hectares of vineyards, Sancerre is a rather small wine-growing region. Only two grape varieties are cultivated, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
The well-drained soils are very calcareous with a variable proportion of clay. The flint, mainly found around Sancerre, provides the typical "flinty" aroma to the wines. 1000 kilometres from the Loire estuary, we are in the heart of France. The climate is distinctly continental, with cold winters and hot summers, and hail or frost can cause great damage to the vines. However, the wines are excellent. Sancerre is known all over the world as one of the great French classics.
White wines from G. & J. Guillerault / Sebastian Fargette
from G. & J. Guillerault / Sebastian Fargette
Producer
Cascina Barisél / Franco Penna
With just 5 hectares, Franco Penna's winery is small but exquisite. The estate near Canelli, east of Alba, comprises only the very best south-facing sites with calcareous soils. Franco's father Enrico, who bought the estate in the 1960s, obviously knew what he was doing.
Il Molino di Grace
Frank Grace acquired this estate in 1995 after holidaying in Tuscany with his wife and having fallen for the charm of this idyllic region.
Bodega Palacios Remondo
He was born 'at home', right above his father's bodega – Álvaro Palacios, Spains star vintner. The scent of wine and barrels must have been lying in the air and thus dictated his further life. He studied oenology in Bordeaux and gathered professional experience at the Château Pétrus, and in London, Dublin, and California. Today, he owns vines in the Priorat county, in Bierzo, and at home in the Rioja, and proves his extraordinary talent with premium wines year after year.