Le Petit Saint Vincent

Dominique Joseph represents the fourth generation of vignerons who have grown and vinified cabernet franc in Saumur-Champigny, with his family estate located in the heart of the appellation in the quaint Loire Valley town of Varrains. Since 1990, along with his long family's experience, Dominique Joseph took over the operations and vinified wines by making his personal touch. The domain sits right in the middle of some pretty impressive company, with legendary neighbors like Clos Rougeard and Thierry Germain's Domaine des Roches Neuve just down the road.

With 12 hectares of vines around the village of Varrains, the domain is located in the heart of the appellation, planted primarily with cabernet franc, and the clay and limestone soils of the property produce Saumur-Champigny which are always fruity, subtle and rich. The vines are aged from 30 to 80 years. The vineyard, located within the Saumur-Champigny appellation in the central Loire Valley, boasts a unique terroir highlighted by sun-drenched southern exposure and exceptionally sandy soil composition. This is classic Loire cabernet franc country, where the tuffeau limestone gives the wines their signature mineral backbone.

Dominique, affectionately known as "Pélo" by his friends, has been farming organically since he took over in 1990. He has been fully certified-organic since 1992. Farming and making wine is practiced naturally, without the use of chemical herbicides, pesticides or other vinous additives. The plowing, the sizing, pruning, thinning, leaf removal and so on are all worked on very hard to harvest grapes at their full and perfect maturity, with exclusive hand harvesting of the entire vineyard helping to perform selection of the grapes before they go into the vats. In the cellar, the vinifications have been refined, with élevages done in concrete vats, except for Les Poyeux which passes in wooden vats.

The range spans from approachable everyday wines to serious single-vineyard bottlings. The Pélo cuvée, named after Dominique's childhood nickname, showcases the depth and character of Saumur-Champigny, with rich fruit, fine tannins, and a harmonious balance. In 2011, Dominique started to separately bottle his top terroir such as "Les Poyeux", "Les Clos Lyzières" and "Les Perruchets", with the former being a rock star terroir home to the most amazing, complex and energetic cabernet franc you'll find in France. Dominique Joseph's Saumur Blanc is a rarity indeed, as he is one of the last vignerons to cultivate chenin blanc in the Saumur lieu-dit known as Les Perruchets. There's also the playful Cab à Bulles, a pétillant naturel made from 100% cabernet franc that's fresh, fun and perfect for any occasion.