Damien Laureau
Damien Laureau is a rising star in the Loire valley, but he’s not a local; his father was a cereal farmer near Versailles. Damien started his career working for his uncle, farming pears alongside a few hectares of vines. He now works with only 8.5 hectares of Chenin Blanc in Savennières, the size he believes is best for his methods. Damien works sustainably: he ploughs some of his vineyards with horses, harvests by hand, uses natural yeasts and minimal sulphur. The results are wines of striking character made by a Loire producer to watch.