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Domaine de la Charmoise, Henry Marionnet Winery Guide

Cellar Tours Insight — Since 2003, Cellar Tours has planned private wine journeys through the world’s leading wine regions, pairing tailor-made itineraries with VIP winery visits, fine dining, and expert regional guidance.

Winery Overview

This substantial and family-owned operation has long been regarded as the benchmark for quality Loire Valley wines and continues to be so. However, there is always competition from the smaller producers. But, Monsieur Henry Marionnet and his son are undoubtedly passionate about quality, only producing certain wines in excellent vintages.

The family has owned the estate since the mid-19th century, and unlike so many of their counterparts in France, they kept control throughout the 20th century. Nestled in the village of Soings, deep in the forests of La Sologne, the family quietly continues, as they always have done, to make superb wines that are wonderfully refreshing and enliven your palate.

Henry Marionnet is the most driven winemaker you could hope to meet, continually pushing the envelope; each vintage is a challenge to overcome the last. Their vineyards were completely replanted and enlarged between 1967 and 1978, and most of the wines are produced from vines more than 30 years old. The two key varieties here are Gamay and Sauvignon Blanc. However, look closer; this estate produces many gems and wines you will not find elsewhere in the world. The Provignage is produced from Romorantin, an extremely rare variety, and the Cépages Oubliés is also a rarity, from an almost obsolete clone of Gamay de Bouze – darker in color with a heady aroma. A winery full of surprises indeed! We can organize private visits and tastings here for our special guests.

Private Wine Tours in the Loire Valley

Private Wine Tours in the Loire Valley

Discover the Loire Valley with private château stays, refined winery visits, elegant Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc, historic towns, and graceful riverside landscapes.

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Further Reading

Author

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James Lawrence

With a passion for food & drink that verges on the obsessive, wine writer James Lawrence has traveled the world in search of the perfect tipple. To date, nothing has surpassed the 1952 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Rioja Reserva, tasted in the cobweb-filled cellars with owner María José. Meanwhile, James has been writing for a wide variety of publications for over 12 years, including Telegraph, Decanter, Harpers, The Drinks Business, and Wine Business International. He lives in South Wales and returns to his former university city, Bilbao, as much as possible.

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