Yannick Amirault Estate

A wine tour in the heart of the Loire Valley

A passion passed down from generation to generation

In the heart ofLoire Valley, THEYannick Amirault Estatewas founded in 1977 byYannick AmiraultHe inherited his grandfather's vineyards, notably the legendary terroir ofMalgagnesThis talented winemaker has adopted a more environmentally and terroir-friendly approach. The turning point came in 1975 when his grandfather expressed his reservations about the excessive use of fertilizers. He thus guided Yannick towards more traditional and environmentally conscious practices. His son,Benoît AmiraultHe joined the estate in 2003, bringing new energy and expertise acquired after six years of studying viticulture and winemaking. In 2009, the estate formalized its commitment to...organic farming, by obtaining approvalEcocertThe vintages ofYannick Amirault Estateare appreciated for their freshness, their finesse and their authentic expression of the terroir ofLoire ValleyThe estate thus contributes to the renown of the wines ofBourgueilandSaint-Nicolas de Bourgueil.

The ideal terroir for Cabernet Franc

A vineyard lovingly tended

THEYannick Amirault Estate, located at the foot of the hill overlooking the town ofBourgueil, has two names,BourgueilAndSaint-Nicolas-de-BourgueilNestled in the former Loire riverbed, the 25 plots form a mosaic of terroirs, each expressing its unique character in every vintage. The vineyard is cultivated with the utmost care and in accordance with the label's specifications.EcocertRegular tilling is carried out, preserving natural grass cover between the rows of vines, except on gravelly soils. These soils are more susceptible to water stress during periods of summer drought, where complete tilling is performed. The viticultural practices adopted in the vineyards also follow the principles of...biodynamicsLunar cycles are respected and the vines are treated with plant decoctions. Cabernet Franc, the region's flagship grape variety, flourishes on the lands ofLoire Valley.

Organic viticulture and winemaking

The interpretation of the terroir in each vintage

After hand-harvesting and meticulous sorting of the grapes, the fruit is systematically destemmed at the winery. The first wines are fermented in open vats; subsequently, each wine is vinified in truncated conical casks for a long maceration, up to six weeks. Extraction is carried out very gently, with punch-downs only during the aqueous phase (when the alcohol content is still low, this aims to reduce the extraction of tannins from the seeds). The estate's wines are aged primarily in oak barrels for 10 to 30 months, depending on the vintage. Cabernet Franc has tannins that are sometimes quite pronounced, giving it a strong character. To soften these characteristics, the winemaker opts for extended aging. Since 2014, amphorae and jars have been incorporated into the cellar. These natural materials preserve the purity of the grapes and allow the authenticity of the terroir to express itself.Yannick Amirault Estateaspires to create authentic, pure and enjoyable wines. An ambition brilliantly achieved!