Vincent Pinard
Summary
Domaine Vincent Pinard is a family-owned wine estate in Bué, Sancerre, currently managed by brothers Florent and Clément Pinard who succeeded their father Vincent. The domaine works primarily with Sauvignon Blanc and some Pinot Noir across vineyards featuring Sancerre's three distinctive soil types: limestone-rich terres blanches, silex (flint), and caillottes. Their winemaking philosophy emphasizes terroir expression through both traditional and modern techniques, resulting in site-specific cuvées that highlight the unique characteristics of their Sancerre vineyards.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Vincent Pinard is a family-owned wine estate located in the village of Bué within the Sancerre appellation of France's Loire Valley. The Pinard family has deep roots in the region, with multiple generations dedicated to viticulture in this eastern Loire terroir. Today, the domaine is managed by brothers Florent and Clément Pinard, who took over operations from their father Vincent. The transition to the next generation has maintained the family's commitment to quality while introducing contemporary approaches to vineyard management and winemaking.
The domaine's headquarters remain in Bué, one of the prime villages within the Sancerre appellation, where the family continues to build upon their viticultural heritage. Under the current leadership, Domaine Vincent Pinard has maintained its focus on expressing the distinctive terroirs of their vineyard sites through meticulous attention in both the vineyard and cellar.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Vincent Pinard's vineyards are situated in and around the village of Bué in Sancerre. The domaine works primarily with Sauvignon Blanc for their white wines, which represent the majority of their production, and Pinot Noir for their red Sancerre offerings. Their vineyard parcels encompass the diverse soil types that define Sancerre's terroir: limestone-rich terres blanches, silex (flint), and caillottes (stony limestone soils).
The domaine produces several site-specific cuvées that reflect these distinct soil compositions. Their portfolio includes single-vineyard expressions such as "Florès," "Harmonie," "Nuance," and "Chêne Marchand," each showcasing different facets of Sancerre's terroir through the lens of Sauvignon Blanc. For their red wines, the Pinards craft Pinot Noir from selected parcels suited to this variety's needs within the Sancerre appellation.
The varying soil compositions across their holdings contribute significantly to the character of their wines, with the limestone-dominant parcels typically providing structure and minerality, while the silex sections often yield more aromatic intensity and complexity.
Philosophy & Practice
The Pinard family approaches viticulture with a focus on respecting their terroir and maximizing the quality potential of each vineyard site. In the cellar, they employ a combination of traditional and modern techniques, adapting their methods to the character of each vintage and vineyard parcel.
For their white wines, fermentation typically occurs in a mix of vessels, including stainless steel tanks and oak barrels, depending on the cuvée. Their single-vineyard expressions often receive more specialized treatment, with careful attention to fermentation and aging protocols designed to highlight the distinctive characteristics of each site.
The domaine's red wine production focuses on creating Pinot Noir with finesse and site-specific character, using temperature-controlled fermentation and judicious oak aging to develop complexity while preserving fruit expression.
Throughout both vineyard work and winemaking, the Pinard family maintains a philosophy centered on allowing their terroir to speak clearly through their wines, using their technical expertise to facilitate rather than mask the natural expression of their Sancerre vineyards.