Pierre Riffault 'Les 7 Hommes', Sancerre, Loire Valley, France 2024
Third-generation family estate established in 1980 by Pierre Riffault in Verdigny, located in the heart of the Sancerre appellation. Bertrand Riffault joined his father in 2005 and took over winemaking in 2007, bringing a unique perspective to the estate after earning a Master's degree in Sociology. The domaine farms 11 hectares across 20 distinct parcels on steep slopes, with each parcel vinified separately to showcase individual terroir expression. "Les 7 Hommes" is a local Sancerre expression meaning "The Seven Men," referring to a parcel of land so rugged it required seven men a day to plow it.
- WINEMAKER: Bertrand Riffault with Pierre Riffault
- FARMING: Sustainable viticulture
- VARIETY: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
- TERROIR: Vines averaging 25+ years planted on steep slopes in clay-limestone soils including silex (flint) and caillottes (calcareous clay). The vineyard sits on the left bank of the Loire River in Sancerre, 200 kilometers south of Paris. Continental climate with short, hot summers and long, cold winters.
- VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested with manual sorting. Each parcel fermented separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Lees stirring (bâtonnage) introduced in 2005 for enhanced body, aroma, and flavor complexity.
- AGING: 6 months in stainless steel tanks with lees stirring, racked in spring before bottling. Wines from different terroirs are blended—caillottes parcels contribute fruit and freshness while flint-based soils provide minerality and aging potential.
- TASTING NOTES: Grapefruit zest, green apple, lemon, white peach, white pepper, hawthorn, fresh herbs, crushed chalk, smoke. Bright acidity with steely minerality and vivid white fruits.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Seafood and shellfish, Thai seafood curry, oysters, grilled fish, local Crottin de Chavignol goat cheese, light salads, spicy cuisine.
Pierre Riffault 'Les 7 Hommes', Sancerre, Loire Valley, France 2024
Third-generation family estate established in 1980 by Pierre Riffault in Verdigny, located in the heart of the Sancerre appellation. Bertrand Riffault joined his father in 2005 and took over winemaking in 2007, bringing a unique perspective to the estate after earning a Master's degree in Sociology. The domaine farms 11 hectares across 20 distinct parcels on steep slopes, with each parcel vinified separately to showcase individual terroir expression. "Les 7 Hommes" is a local Sancerre expression meaning "The Seven Men," referring to a parcel of land so rugged it required seven men a day to plow it.
- WINEMAKER: Bertrand Riffault with Pierre Riffault
- FARMING: Sustainable viticulture
- VARIETY: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
- TERROIR: Vines averaging 25+ years planted on steep slopes in clay-limestone soils including silex (flint) and caillottes (calcareous clay). The vineyard sits on the left bank of the Loire River in Sancerre, 200 kilometers south of Paris. Continental climate with short, hot summers and long, cold winters.
- VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested with manual sorting. Each parcel fermented separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Lees stirring (bâtonnage) introduced in 2005 for enhanced body, aroma, and flavor complexity.
- AGING: 6 months in stainless steel tanks with lees stirring, racked in spring before bottling. Wines from different terroirs are blended—caillottes parcels contribute fruit and freshness while flint-based soils provide minerality and aging potential.
- TASTING NOTES: Grapefruit zest, green apple, lemon, white peach, white pepper, hawthorn, fresh herbs, crushed chalk, smoke. Bright acidity with steely minerality and vivid white fruits.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Seafood and shellfish, Thai seafood curry, oysters, grilled fish, local Crottin de Chavignol goat cheese, light salads, spicy cuisine.