A FORGOTTEN REGION STEEPED IN HISTORY
Ampelidae is situated at the southern end of the Loire Valley in Marigny Brizay, not far from Futuroscope in the Vienne.
Here in the lesser known part of the Loire valley, winemaking can trace its roots back to ancient times. Vines have been grown in the Vienne since at least 876 AD when the first written accounts appear. History has dealt this region a harsh hand and the vineyards have been devastated firstly by the religious wars of the 16th Century and then again by Phylloxera in the late 19th Century.
Despite this tumultuous past, the vineyards have been in a revival since the 20th century and today are reinvigorated, young and dynamic.
THE CROSSROADS BETWEEN THE LOIRE VALLEY AND THE BORDEAUX BASIN
Ampelidae's organic vineyard is one of the largest in the Loire Valley, with 85 ha split into 78 parcels and extending over 30 km. Situated at the junction of bath two Massifs (Armoricain and Central) as well as two basins (Paris and Bordeaux), the Ampelidae vineyards benefit from a temparate oceanic climate and are made up of a rich variety of soils. This in turn creates the unique and complex expression of our wines. We also source high quality grapes from local long-term partner vineyards, which results in balanced wines with unique flavour profiles :
- Mari with fossils tram the Cenomanian era
- Yellow tuffeau with flint
- White tuffeau
- Aeolian sand
- Chalky slopes
- Groie (A mix of chalk and clay)
OUR IDENTITY - LOIRE VALLEY VARIETIES
We grow a dozen grape varieties, traditional varieties as well as local specialities. The most important is Sauvignon Blanc which has been our key grape variety from the beginning. We also grow its local cousin Sauvignon Gris which here we call Fie Gris, as well as Chardonnay for our sparkling wines. ln terms of red grapes, the main varieties grown are Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.