Châteaux du Breuil et de La Roche

In France’s majestic Loire Valley lies Châteaux du Breuil et de la Roche situated on the right bank of the Layon river near the village of Beaulieu-sur-Layon, 20 minutes south of Angers. Built in 1822, Le Breuil’s vines are planted on prime L’Anjou Noir plots: south-facing slopes of the Coteaux du Layon, resting on a bed of schist just above a seam of spilite that runs between the towns of Beaulieu-sur-Layon and Rochefort-sur-Loire. The winery also owns a prime vineyard across the Loire river, in the heart of Savennières. The Anjou region lies in a climatic transition between the oceanic climate of the coast and the continental climate of the upper Loire and central France. Châteaux du Breuil primarily focuses their work on producing exceptional dry chenin blanc, as well as other local grape varieties, like grolleau, cabernet franc, sauvignon blanc and gris, and chardonnay. 

The modern era of Châteaux du Breuil et de la Roche began when French businessman and wine-lover Michel Petitbois bought the estate in 2006 with the intention of making great wine. Michel, a forward-thinking collector of fine wines from Burgundy, fell in love with the complexities of the Loire Valley and saw the potential in the exceptional vineyards owned by Châteaux du Breuil to produce exceptional wines. Some of their notable, direct neighbors include Château Pierre-Bise, Château Soucherie, and Château Plaisance, while just a footpath separates their Savennières vineyard from those of Nicolas Joly. The philosophy of Châteaux du Breuil et de la Roche begins with its exceptional vineyards and regenerative farming methods.

Once Michel Petitbois purchased the historic estate in 2006, he reorganized and revitalized the vineyards and modernized the cellar. From the beginning, Michel knew that if he wanted to secure Châteaux du Breuil’s future on a world-class level, there was considerable work to be done in both the vineyard and cellar. Starting with 24 hectares of vineyards from previous owners, his team pulled up 12 hectares of vines that were haphazardly planted; they reorganized and replanted the vineyards according to the correct terroir, with old clones selected for quality and complexity. Over the ensuing two decades, Michel gradually purchased key vineyards, bringing the estate to its current 33 hectares of vines. Châteaux du Breuil now produces wines in the Protected Designation of Origin regions of: Anjou, Savennières, Coteaux du Layon, Coteaux du Layon Beaulieu, Crémant de Loire, and Rosé d’Anjou.