Domaine Aux Moines Le Berceau des Fées is a strikingly precise and pure Chenin, with beautiful forefront fruit and honeyed flavours. It is a true 'Vin Plaisir', Tessa was not looking for concentration there, just a wine that delivers immediate pleasure.
Le Berceau des Fées comes from young Chenin vines (10 years or less) from vineyard located around the estate, along the Loire River. Grapes are hand-harvested, over several passages for optimal maturity, pressing is gentle and very slow. Fermentation starts with native yeasts, ageing in stainless steel vats for 9 months. No additives, zero SO2 added.
DOMAINES-AUX-MOINES, Tessa Laroche, Savennières
Organic - certified Ecocert
Savennières is a tiny but justifiably celebrated appellation just south west of Angers where white wines of immense nerve, concentration and longevity are made from the Chenin Blanc grape – locally called Pineau de la Loire. The AOC lies south-southwest of Angers on the right bank of the Loire on sandy schist soils.
The lieu-dit and sub-appellation of Roche-aux-Moines occupies a mere 22 hectares within it. It gained its own appellation in 2011, thanks to the leadership and determination of Tessa Laroche.
At Domaine aux Moines, vineyard practices are designed to protect the environment, yields are low, organic fertilisers are used. Thermoregulated stainless steel vats and a pneumatic press ensure that pure fruit quality and gentle extraction are the order of the day. There is also a “petit chai” with twenty-five oak barrels in which the best selections of each vintage are either fermented or aged, although the object is not to acquire a woody flavour in the wine.
‘Tessa represents the fastest progression in quality of the last 5 years in France’ Thierry Germain, Roches Neuves (2025)