Catherine & Michel Langlois

About

Owners & winemakers: Catherine & Michel Langlois
Vineyards: 17ha, plus two 2ha of black currants
Vineyard management: Certified organic since 2022
Soils: Clay rich in limestone and silica on Kimmeridgian marl subsoil
Grapes grown: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Chardonnay
Annual production: 100,00 bottles

Quick facts:

• The Côteaux du Giennois is an under-the-radar Loire appellation found between Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé.
• In addition to wine, the Langlois family produces cassis from their 2ha of black currants and crème de mûre from foraged wild blackberries.
• “To respect, preserve, and safeguard the riches of our land: these are our founding principles with which I manage my domaine.” – Michel Langlois

Catherine and Michel Langlois settled in Pougny in 1996 with little more than the 0.3 hectares of vines they inherited from Michel’s grandfather. The first vines were planted in the 1950s as one part of a polyculture farm. Over the years the husband-and-wife team decided to focus on winemaking and grew the estate to its current 17 hectares. They now produce wines and fruit cordials with the help of their three sons. Traditional varieties of the region—Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Gamay—are the focus here, with a commitment to showcasing the unique, but not particularly well-known Coteaux du Giennois appellation. Long in the shadow of its more well-known siblings Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé, Coteaux du Giennois makes similar but considerably less expensive Sauvignon Blanc-based wines worth seeking out. The climate is mild and maritime with some continental influence, and the hill of Sancerre acts as a natural barrier, creating a unique microclimate. The Kimmeridgian marl subsoil is full of tiny fossilized seashells dating back 150 million years. In addition to grapes, the Langlois family farms 2 hectares of black currants used for cassis production, and forages wild blackberries for their crème de mûre. The estate earned its organic certification in August 2022.