Pierre Menard La Varenne de Chanze 2019
Pierre MenardGrape: Chenin Blanc
Vintage: 2019
Type: White
Pierre Menard grew up in a winemaking family in Anjou. He went on to study winemaking in Angers and to work stints in Pauillac at Chateau Latour, in the Duoro, Canada, New Zealand and in Tokaj, Hungary. When he returned home to Anjou, he began farming a few rows of his family’s old vine Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc. Traditionally his parents sold the grapes from all 13 hectares of their vines to a cooperative, but they agreed to let him keep some for his own project. In 2013, while still in his twenties, he bottled a miniscule number of bottles in a garage turned wine cellar. This inaugural vintage was received with great critical acclaim and a rising star of Anjou was born. Since then, Pierre has expanded his holdings to more than 1.5 hectares, all farmed biodynamically. He makes several bottlings of Chenin Blanc from these old vines, all dry. The wine has a brilliant gold color, and the aroma is immediately striking. It features beautiful notes of ripe melon, quince, and pear, followed by lemon citrus, nutmeg, and stony gravel. Fragrant honeysuckle adds classic honey notes that are typical of some Chenin wines. On the palate, there is a balanced and slightly sweet combination of apple, lemon, peach, pineapple, pear, and lime flavors. A hint of gravel prevents the fruit from becoming overwhelming. The wine has a pleasant acidity, and the finish is long-lasting and enjoyable. The wine was aged in neutral French oak barrels to achieve a mellow texture and mouthfeel.
Âmevive "ahm-veev"
We are proud to lovingly tend some of the oldest vines planted and still in production in Santa Barbara County. We are committed to beyond organic farming, embracing the native ecology, integrating animals, and walking our vineyard rows daily. We believe that unmanipulated wines with energy and a sense of place only come with a deep connection to the land.
We lease and farm the Ibarra-Young Vineyard in Los Olivos District A.V.A. This vineyard was planted by Charlotte Young in 1971 and is still owned by her three daughters.
Everything on the property is own-rooted and has been farmed organically since 1993. We began leasing and farming this land at the end of 2019 and have since employed holistic, regenerative organic, and biodynamic practices to reinvigorate the soils that have been working hard for over half a century.
Our goal is to rebuild an ecosystem of native species that live alongside our vine rows, regenerate soil health, and grow the highest quality grapes this site can give. We believe the best wine grapes are grown with minimal inputs and conscious vineyard management. We reject a systematic schedule for viticulture and farming in general. We believe that by working in conjunction with nature we can increase biodiversity and soil health, minimize unnecessary sprays, minimize tractor passes and compaction, decrease water use, and reduce our carbon footprint.