GG_N55_Complet_FRA-web

LOIRE VALLEY
MARKETS
of total sales. The wines are shipped to around 15
countries”.
Sylvie stresses the significance of quality and environmentally-friendly
production methods: “We are
mindful to produce quality wines by using efficient
vineyard management techniques and by revamping
our winemaking facilities. Every year, we
question the way we work”.
The winery’s HVE certification and use of grass
cover for nearly half of its area under vine reflect
the environmentally-friendly approach taken by the
couple, who also share the same vision. “You should
never rest on your laurels and always try and make
headway”, is Sylvie’s steadfast belief. This quest for
excellence meshes with the robust reputation of
Sancerre – which Sylvie admits “does not need to
chase after markets to sell its wines” – positioning
Domaine La Barbotaine as a benchmark producer
of Sancerre wines.
KARINE, CHRISTIAN AND KÉVIN LAUVERJAT AT THEIR FAMILY-RUN
PROPERTY MOULIN DES VRILLÈRES
KÉVIN AND CHRISTIAN LAUVERJAT IN THEIR VINEYARDS
DOMAINE MOULIN DES
VRILLÈRES: “COPING WITH THE
CHALLENGES OF THE GLOBAL
MARKETPLACE”
Domaine Moulin des Vrillères is located on the
outskirts of the picturesque market village of
Sury-en-Vaux. Here, Christian Lauverjat, his
wife Karine and their son Kévin continue to build
on the family’s winegrowing traditions. The
13-hectare vineyard stretches majestically over
‘terres blanches’ and ‘caillottes’ soils producing a
range of Sancerre wines that mirrors the appellation’s
diversity and varied geology.
Karine Lauverjat is the winery’s marketing
mainstay. She recounts a major turning point in
its history: “Frost in 2005 convinced us that we
should establish a trading business because all
of our vineyard blocks were badly affected”. The
initiative not only offered a life-line for the winery,
it also expanded its portfolio by introducing wines
from Menetou-Salon and Pouilly.
On the farm, a constant quest for quality guides
every decision: “Our vineyard sites are predominantly
home to ‘terres blanches’ soils but we have
SPRING 2024 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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