Andrew Guard

Anjou Saumur

I was introduced to Stéphane Erissé by Antoine Foucault of the Domaine du Collier. Stéphane came to winemaking late in life, he first worked in the building industry before embarking on the profession of vigneron in 2011. He named his estate, which is located in the region Anjou Saumur, after his grandmother Andrée.

Stéphane is based in Saint-Cyr-Le-Bourg where he owns 3 hectares planted to Grolleau Noir and Cabernet Franc as well as a plot of Chenin located in Saint Georges-sur-Layon. He does not use any chemicals in the vineyard and does not intervene very much in winemaking, only homoeopatic doses of sulphur at the setting (1.5 g / hl on the white!). This would normally make me nervous but his mentors are Antoine Foucault and Cyril Fhal of the brilliant Clos du Rouge Gorge, two of the most talented and thoughtful vignerons in France.

Stylistically the wines are immediately attractive with vibrant, healthy colour and seductive aromas and long, complex flavours. He clearly has the knack as he is a relative newcomer to the wine industry. These wines are clearly a labour of love and passion which makes them a perfect fit in our portfolio.

Stéphane is a sincere, meticulous and sensitive man who makes superb wine; his Grandmother would be very proud.

Written by Andrew Guard — May 17, 2017