In the heart of the Loire Valley, Sylvain Dittière and Pauline Foucault passionately oversee their domaine La Porte Saint Jean, embodying a unique vision. The 6-hectare vineyard, located between Montreuil-Bellay and Doué-la-Fontaine, is divided into three distinct zones: La Perlée, Les Cormiers, and the most recent addition, Les Pouches. These lands are home to three grape varieties: Chenin, Cabernet Franc, and a few acres of old Sauvignon Blanc vines, all farmed organically.
The estate's diversity, with clay-loam soils at La Perlée, clay-limestone with flint at Les Cormiers, and the work undertaken on Les Pouches since 2017, results in undeniable richness. Sylvain Dittière, a farmer's grandson, embodies a holistic vision of vineyard development, favoring the virtues of agroforestry and a respectful ecosystem. Pauline Foucault honed her skills at Clos Rougeard, managed at the time by her father.
Embracing organic farming, Sylvain and Pauline do not seek a specific label on their bottles, although all their wines are certified organic. Utilizing herbal teas such as horsetail to combat oidium and mildew, and willow bark to stimulate the vines' natural defenses, they maintain a natural balance. Horse-drawn plowing on steep slopes and replacing missing vines illustrate their commitment to respectful practices, with minimal applications of sulfur and copper.
Following in the tradition of the region's finest estates, La Porte Saint Jean produces lively, elegant, and precise wines. With 11 years since the first vintage, the estate has become a benchmark. It emphasizes a meticulous, natural approach: fermentations are simple and natural, with no added yeast, followed by extended barrel aging.
The fermentation process allows the wines to mature at their own pace in the cellar's constant cool environment. At La Porte Saint Jean, the focus is on infusion rather than extraction, giving the wines an elegant feel despite long macerations. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally in barrels, and aging lasts 18 months for La Porte Saint Jean and Les Pouches Blanc, and 24 months for La Perlée, Les Pouches Rouge, and Les Cormiers (100% new barrels). No sulfur is used during vinification, though it may be added in minute quantities before bottling to protect the wines if necessary.
