Pierre & Bertrand Couly
(Winery in Loire Valley)

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About Winery and Wines

Pierre & Bertrand Couly cultivates 23 hectares of vines in the Chinon appellation growing key varieties of the area – Chenin and Cabernet Franc. Coming from a long line of winegrowers dating back to the 15th century, the family has kept its roots in the heart of the village of Saint-Louans but also built a modern cellar with modern architecture at the entrance to the town as a perfect symbol of tradition and modernity. Today Vincent, son of Bertrand, has joined the estate.

Their idea of wine is built through the terroirs and localities of the Chinon appellation: Le Parc, La Haute-Olive, Peru, Blancs Closeaux, and many others. All are vinified separately and as fast as possible (indigenous yeasts, sulfite-free vinification, no barrels, etc.). In the vineyard, work that respects nature always pays off, for Pierre & Bertrand Couly viticulture rhymes with agroecology, agroforestry, and eco-grazing. 

The grape varieties of the vineyard are composed of Cabernet Franc for the red and the rosé and of Chenin Blanc for the white. The estate's vineyards are located around Chinon, divided into 4 main terroirs representing the diversity of the Chinon appellation.

In the cellar, Pierre & Bertrand Couly aims to extend the work done in the vineyard. Each plot is vinified separately, and the wines are fermented and aged in stainless steel vats, the most neutral materials. The vinification is performed without sulfites and thanks to the indigenous yeasts of the grape. In addition, the terroir wines do not see barrel aging, as the producer wishes to preserve the authenticity and the expression of the soil of the plot and the micro-climate of each vine. The aging of the wines is done in the bottle, in a gentler and longer way. Pierre & Bertrand Couly offers its wines for sale only after the necessary aging time, which can go up to 5 years for certain cuvées. 

The new cellar, built in 2010, allowed the estate to have a modern which facilitates the work of vinification. This building is energy efficient because it is buried. Its roof made up of terraces of vines ensures a constant temperature, both in summer and in winter, of around 15°C without air conditioning (the vines on the terraces on the roof are planted with table grapes which give us our cuvée of grape juice: “A Grape on the Roof”). 

Pierre & Bertrand Couly produces various red, white and rosé wines of the Chinon appellation, sparkling Crémant de Loire, red wine from Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil and 100% Chenin outside of AOC Chinon. Additionally, the estate also produces its own grape juice, honey and jam.

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