Our winemaker's tips in Saumur

In Saumur, wine is discovered as much in the glass as in the landscapes, the tuffeau cellars, and the encounters. To help our guests have a truly authentic Saumur experience, we asked Mathieu Ailloud , winner of the "One of the Best Apprentices of France 2021" competition, to share his recommendations for four wineries around Saumur.

The idea is not to draw up a ranking, but to propose four styles, four sensibilities and four ways of exploring the Saumur vineyard .

1. Domaine des Roches Neuves

Area: Varrains, south of Saumur

Domaine des Roches Neuves is a leading name in the Saumur region. Here, you'll find a refined expression of the limestone terroir, producing precise, profound, and elegant wines. It's an excellent introduction to wines that fully embody the identity of Saumur and Saumur-Champigny.

Why Mathieu recommends it: for the purity of the wines, the precision of the aging process and the great expression of both Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc.

• Website of the estate: Domaine des Roches Neuves
• Directions: View on Google Maps

2. Arnaud Lambert

Area: Saint-Just-sur-Dive / Brézé

Arnaud Lambert is one of the leading names in the appellation. His work particularly highlights the great tuffeau terroirs of the Brézé sector, with chiseled, taut whites, often remarkable for their precision, but also very well-balanced reds.

Why Mathieu recommends it: to understand all the finesse of the Saumur terroirs and the elegance of the great Chenin wines of the region.

• Website of the domain: Arnaud Lambert
• Itinerary : View on Google Maps

3. Domaine Théo Blet

Area: around Courchamps / Saumur

Théo Blet embodies a new generation of Saumur winemakers. His approach is already attracting attention with its energy, precision, and deep understanding of the terroir. He is a wonderful discovery for enthusiasts who enjoy following promising young estates and tasting wines that are still relatively unknown.

Why Mathieu recommends it: to discover a young winemaker to follow very closely, with a modern and demanding interpretation of Saumur.

• Discover the estate: Domaine Théo Blet
• Directions: View on Google Maps

4. Rocheville Estate

Area: Parnay, between Saumur and Montsoreau

Domaine de Rocheville offers an approach that is both high-quality, accessible and very pleasant to discover on site. The setting, the cellars, the tours and the environment make it a great stop for travelers who wish to combine wine tasting and vineyard discovery.

Why Mathieu recommends it: for the overall experience on site, the quality of the wines and the beauty of the site in the Loire landscape.

• Website of the estate: Domaine de Rocheville
• Directions: View on Google Maps

Small map to help you find your way

Our recommendation for a tasting day around Saumur

For a great discovery, you can imagine a route in 2 or 3 stages depending on your preferences:

• Varrains / Brézé / Saint-Just-sur-Dive for a very local reading of the Saumur region;
• Courchamps to discover a promising young estate;
• Parnay to extend the walk towards the Loire and Montsoreau.

We advise you to contact the estates in advance , as some visits or tastings are by appointment only.

In summary

If you're looking for some great places to discover Saumur wines, here are four estates recommended by Mathieu Ailloud:

• Domaine des Roches Neuves
• Arnaud Lambert
• Domaine Théo Blet
• Rocheville Estate

Four complementary worlds to discover the richness of the Saumur vineyard, between great limestone terroirs, young talents and wonderful encounters in the cellar.