Claude Riffault
Summary
Domaine Claude Riffault is a family-owned 13-15 hectare estate in Sancerre's eastern Loire Valley, producing primarily Sauvignon Blanc wines from diverse vineyard holdings across the region's three distinctive soil types: terres blanches, caillottes, and silex. Under second-generation winemaker Stéphane Riffault, the estate has evolved through sustainable viticulture, site-specific winemaking, and thoughtful integration of traditional methods with modern innovations, establishing itself as one of Sancerre's most exciting emerging producers.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Claude Riffault is a family-owned wine estate located in Sancerre in the eastern Loire Valley of France. The estate has been in the Riffault family for multiple generations, with Stéphane Riffault currently at the helm after taking over from his father Claude in the early 2000s. This transition marked a significant period for the domaine, as Stéphane brought his oenological education and experience working in Burgundy to the family business.
Under Stéphane's direction, the estate has maintained its independent, family-owned status rather than becoming part of a larger wine conglomerate. His leadership has been characterized by a focus on expressing the distinct terroirs of Sancerre through site-specific wines, building upon the foundation established by his father Claude.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Claude Riffault encompasses approximately 13-15 hectares of vineyards spread across several communes within the Sancerre appellation, including Sury-en-Vaux and Verdigny. The estate's vineyards benefit from the three classic soil types that define Sancerre's terroir: terres blanches (clay-limestone), caillottes (stony limestone), and silex (flint). Many of the vineyard parcels are situated on slopes that provide favorable sun exposure.
The domaine's portfolio centers primarily on Sauvignon Blanc, the signature grape variety of Sancerre for white wines, while also producing Pinot Noir for red and rosé Sancerre. The estate creates several terroir-specific cuvées that highlight the distinctive characteristics of different soil types. Notable among these are "Les Boucauds," which comes from caillottes soils, "Les Chailloux," which derives from silex, and other single-vineyard expressions such as "Les Chasseignes" and "Les Denisottes."
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking approach at Domaine Claude Riffault combines traditional methods with precise techniques aimed at expressing the unique character of each vineyard site. The estate practices sustainable viticulture with some biodynamic principles, and grapes are harvested by hand to ensure quality selection.
In the cellar, Stéphane employs a combination of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels for fermentation and aging, with the vessel choice varying depending on the cuvée. Premium wines receive longer aging periods to develop complexity. Extended lees aging is practiced for certain wines to enhance texture and depth.
All wines are produced under the Sancerre Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) designation, adhering to the regulations that govern this prestigious Loire Valley appellation. The domaine's commitment to quality and terroir expression has earned recognition from wine critics and publications in the industry.