Sébastien Cornille, a dedicated winemaker born near Sancerre, embarked on his viticultural journey after experimenting with Vitis Vinifera on La Reunion. Together with friends, he acquired vineyards in Marçon, Sarthe, and Loire Valley, totalling 6.5ha, including plots in Jasnieres and Coteaux du Loir.
Establishing Domaine de la Roche Bleue in 2007, Sébastien transitioned from Sancerre to Jasnières, a region he believed ideal for Chenin cultivation. Expanding his holdings in Jasnières and Côteaux du Loir, Sébastien embraced the challenge of reviving these historically significant yet overlooked appellations, known for their frost-stricken past and unique terroirs.
Sébastien's commitment to Jasnières as a prime Chenin terroir spurred his shift towards organic viticulture in 2010. Certified organic since 2013, his biodynamic practices in the northern Loire region highlight chalky soils and meticulously handcrafted techniques, emphasizing low yields and minimal intervention in his troglodyte cellar, allowing the wines to authentically express themselves through spontaneous fermentation, neutral barrel ageing, and selective filtration.
The essence of Jasnières' Chenin, blending Vouvray's fruitiness and Savennières' minerality, is preserved in Sébastien's approach, emphasizing freshness and purity in every bottle. He now produces an annual production averaging 1,700 cases.
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