Famille Vaillant - 'Le P'tit Vaillant' - Cabernet Franc, Grolleau - Loire Valley, FR - 2022
Regular price $33.00
Unit price per
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Request a Case OrderNotes from the Winery/Importer
From the heart of Bellevigne-en-Layon, this wine is the spirited work of Laurence, Jean-François, and Dominique Vaillant — the family behind Domaine Les Grandes Vignes. • Grapes: Groslot (a.k.a. Grolleau) & Cabernet Franc • Soil: Clay-silt layered with ancient marine shell deposits (faluns) • Yield: 50 hl/ha • Vinification: • A short maceration (~10 days) from fully de-stemmed grapes • Aged in underground ceramic vats • No filtration, no added sulphites — just pure juice • Alcohol: 12.28% • Total Acidity: 3.84 g/L • Volatile Acidity: 0.74 g/L • Total SO₂: None detected
Service:
Serve lightly chilled, around 12°C.
Perfect with grilled meats, charcuterie, poultry, or a casual cheese board.
Notes on the Producer
Our Way of Working
We cultivate 55 hectares of vines using organic and biodynamic farming methods. Our vineyards are planted with Chenin Blanc for the whites; Cabernet Franc, Grolleau, and Pineau d’Aunis for the reds; and Cabernet and Grolleau for the rosés. The diversity of our wines stems from the varying exposures and soil types that define our land: gray and green schist, phtanite, quartz, shell fragments, sand, and rolled gravel.
A Family Story
Biodynamic Preparations
Biodynamics offers a holistic approach to viticulture, focusing on the interactions between the earth, air, and water. Our vines thrive in a healthy, balanced environment, which naturally increases their resistance to disease and reduces the need for copper and sulfur treatments. Encouraging microbial life in the soil is a priority, allowing the roots to draw essential nutrients directly from the bedrock.
We also foster biodiversity by planting a wide variety of annual and perennial herbs, enriching the ecosystem and supporting vine health.
By following the rhythms of the planets, we time specific tasks—like tillage—to align with favorable cosmic influences. As a result, our vines grow stronger, and only minimal treatments—herbal teas, small amounts of copper, and sulfur—are needed to achieve healthy, consistent harvests. This deep connection to nature not only enhances the quality of our wines but also brings great personal fulfillment. Working in harmony with the land is a true joy.
In the Cellar
Our approach in the cellar is equally hands-off. We add no foreign substances, perform minimal transfers, and do not fine or filter our wines—except for those with residual sugars, which may receive a very small addition of sulfur (2 to 3 mg/L of SO₂). We rack and bottle our wines on fruit days whenever possible to capture their optimal expression.
Nearly 300 barrels receive our full attention to ensure thoughtful, precise vinification and aging.
We cultivate 55 hectares of vines using certified Organic and Biodynamic methods. Our wines owe their complexity and richness to the diversity of soil types and exposures across our vineyard. All of our wines are certified by DEMETER and AB — learn more about these certifications.
While organic farming prohibits the use of synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or insecticides, biodynamic agriculture goes even further. It is a holistic approach that seeks to enhance the vitality of the soil and the plant within their natural ecosystem.
What Is Biodynamics?
Biodynamic farming was founded in 1924 by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner and can be distilled into three key principles:
1. Use of Natural PreparationsOnly natural materials are used — including silica, cow manure, essential oils, and herbal infusions — to strengthen the vines and stimulate soil health.
2. Working with Lunar RhythmsTreatments and tasks are aligned with the lunar calendar to harness cosmic influences — this is the “dynamic” element.
3. Thoughtful TillageSoil work is done with care to preserve structure and encourage biodiversity.
Observing the Effects of Biodynamics
In the Soil
• Improved structure and water retention
• Excellent absorption, even in heavy rains
• No erosion, easier to plow
On the Vine
• Upright, strong growth with vibrant verticality
• Flexible, resilient plants with minimal topping and no need for green harvesting
• Well-aerated canopies, visible and healthy grape clusters
• Excellent overall vine health
In the Wine
• Exceptional balance and phenolic ripeness
• Wines that are more digestible, pure, and energetic
• A deep sense of harmony between the wine and the body