Fontaine Audon
Summary
Fontaine Audon is a single-vineyard Sancerre property owned by Domaine Langlois-Chateau (under Bollinger's stewardship since 1973), producing exclusively Sauvignon Blanc from its distinctive limestone and silex soils in the eastern Loire Valley. The estate employs minimal intervention winemaking with temperature-controlled fermentation and lees aging to showcase the vineyard's pronounced mineral character, establishing it as a reference point for terroir-driven Sancerre that exemplifies the appellation's classic structure and elegance.
Heritage & Leadership
Fontaine Audon is a distinguished single-vineyard site in Sancerre, Loire Valley, France, owned and managed by Domaine Langlois-Chateau. The parent estate, Langlois-Chateau, was established in 1885 through the marriage of Edouard Langlois and Jeanne Chateau. In 1973, the prestigious Champagne house Bollinger acquired Langlois-Chateau, integrating this Loire Valley property into their portfolio while maintaining its distinct identity and winemaking traditions. Under Bollinger's ownership, Langlois-Chateau has continued to focus on quality production while expanding their vineyard holdings in key Loire appellations, including the Fontaine Audon site in Sancerre.
Vineyards & Wines
The Fontaine Audon vineyard is situated in the eastern Loire Valley within the Sancerre appellation. This specific site features the region's characteristic limestone and silex (flint) soils, which contribute to the distinctive mineral profile of its wines. The vineyard is primarily planted with Sauvignon Blanc, the signature grape variety of Sancerre. The Fontaine Audon cuvée represents a single-vineyard expression that captures the specific terroir characteristics of this site. The wine displays the typical high acidity and expressive aromatics associated with Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc, with the specific soil composition imparting a pronounced mineral character that distinguishes it from other Sancerre wines.
Philosophy & Practice
Langlois-Chateau applies meticulous vineyard management to the Fontaine Audon site, focusing on achieving optimal ripeness while preserving the natural acidity that defines Loire Valley white wines. In the cellar, the winemaking approach for the Fontaine Audon Sancerre emphasizes minimal intervention to allow the expression of terroir. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve the fresh fruit character and aromatic purity of the Sauvignon Blanc. The wine undergoes aging on fine lees to develop textural complexity while maintaining vibrancy. This balanced approach to winemaking results in a Sancerre that faithfully represents its vineyard origin while offering the structure for short to medium-term aging potential.