Antoine Sanzay
Summary
Fourth-generation grower Antoine Sanzay operates a 9-hectare estate across three communes in Saumur-Champigny, focusing primarily on Cabernet Franc grown in tuffeau limestone soils, including the prized Les Poyeux vineyard. His methodical approach combines certified organic viticulture with minimal-intervention winemaking techniques, establishing him as one of the appellation's most promising talents since founding his domaine in 2002.
Heritage & Leadership
Antoine Sanzay established his eponymous domaine in 2002 in the Loire Valley's Saumur-Champigny appellation. A fourth-generation grower, Sanzay initially sold his grapes to the local cooperative before deciding to bottle his own wines. This transition marked a significant shift for the family's agricultural legacy, as Antoine became the first to fully embrace winemaking rather than solely viticulture. Based in the village of Varrains, just south of Saumur, Sanzay works independently, managing all aspects of production from vineyard to bottle. His emergence as a producer coincided with a broader renaissance in the Saumur-Champigny region, with his methodical approach quickly establishing him among the appellation's notable producers.
Vineyards & Wines
The domaine encompasses 9 hectares of vineyards spread across the communes of Varrains, Chacé, and Dampierre-sur-Loire within the Saumur-Champigny appellation. The vineyards sit on the region's characteristic tuffeau limestone soils, with varying proportions of clay and sand depending on the specific plot. Cabernet Franc dominates the plantings, comprising approximately 8.5 hectares, with the remaining land dedicated to Chenin Blanc. The vines average 35 years of age, with some parcels exceeding 50 years. Sanzay's holdings include plots in several distinguished sites, including Les Poyeux, a limestone-rich slope recognized for producing structured, age-worthy wines. His portfolio features single-vineyard bottlings that express these distinct terroirs, including the flagship "Les Poyeux" Cabernet Franc and "La Haye Dampierre" Chenin Blanc, alongside his Saumur-Champigny rouge and Saumur blanc.
Philosophy & Practice
Antoine Sanzay adheres to organic farming principles and received official certification in 2014. His viticultural approach emphasizes minimal intervention, with cover crops between rows to promote biodiversity and soil health. In the cellar, Sanzay employs traditional techniques with modern precision. Harvesting is done by hand, with careful sorting to ensure only optimal fruit enters production. For his red wines, fermentation occurs in concrete tanks with indigenous yeasts and gentle extraction methods to preserve fruit purity and terroir expression. Aging takes place in a combination of concrete tanks and neutral French oak barrels, typically for 12-18 months depending on the cuvée. The Chenin Blanc ferments and ages in neutral oak barrels. Sulfur additions are minimal and only applied at bottling when necessary. This methodical approach to both viticulture and vinification reflects Sanzay's commitment to translating the limestone terroir of Saumur-Champigny into wines of clarity and precision.