History
Le Nozay is a 17th-century small château close to the village of Sainte Gemme-en-Sancerrois, north of Sancerre.
Run by the incredibly passionate ‘de Benoist’ family, Domaine du Nozay dedicates the entire production of its boutique winery solely to the pursuit of the perfect Sauvignon Blanc. Convinced of the benefits of organic and biodynamic farming, they were certified organic in 2011 and biodynamic in 2017.
Respecting the environment, vines, and soils, Domaine du Nozay hopes to achieve the heights of quality and produce some of the most exceptional Sancerres.
Philippe de Benoist built the vineyard himself in 1970, but today his son Cyril oversees all viticulture and winemaking aspects of production. He is passionate about their vineyard and even has a small weather station located in the heart of the vineyard specifically for this purpose.
The house itself, a gorgeous, colourful 17th-century stone building with a frescoed cellar and hunting paraphernalia all over its walls, helps to portray the individuality and enthusiasm of the wine and its makers.
The Vineyards
Vines are grown in the commune of Sainte-Gemme, Sancerre. A cool continental climate — generally cold and dry in the winter and sunny and warm in the summer. The Loire River nearby helps moderate extreme temperatures, aiding grapes to achieve ideal ripeness, producing plenty of sugar content while retaining its acidity
Vines are grown on Kimmeridgian marl soils, which are predominantly clay-limestone and very rich in shell fossils. When dry, they are particularly white, hence their local name, ‘Terres Blanches’. This helps promote the wines' characteristic flinty minerality.
Certified biodynamic by Demeter since 2017, Domaine du Nozay aims to restore the self-preservation potential of its terroir by encouraging biodiversity and a balanced ecosystem. Cover crops between the vines help promote harmony in the microclimate, which in turn is conducive to the production of the healthiest possible grapes.