The Domaine de Vodanis was created in 2007 by two young friends, Francois Gilet and Nicolas Darracq. Both met at the winemaking school in the Loire Valley in Amboise. After working and training on their own, Francois working at the estate of his cousin Jean Marc Gilet, and Nicolas with another producer in Rochecorbon, they decided to join forces. With the help of Francois’s family, they took over a long-term lease on the Vodanis Vineyard (4, 5Ha) from the famed Huet estate, which had recently changed ownership. During that time, they added another 10 hectares located deeper into the plateau of Rochecordon. From the older vines in Vodanis they produce their still wines, whereas the younger vines in their other parcels, with their slightly higher yields, are perfect for producing the chenin blanc destined for the sparkling Vouvray.
The estate of Domaine de Vodanis is situated on limestone soils around the town of Rochecorbon, with vines averaging around 25 years old. The philosophy of this estate revolves around respecting and observing the rythms of nature, so they use entirely sustainable farming practices, borrowing many techniques from the biodynamic canon. Yields are strictly limited in the vineyards, and they use no chemicals or additives and limit their intervention overall during the winemaking process with the exception of a trace amount of sulphites at bottling. They rack their wines in their ancient and original chalk cellar according to the phases of the moon. Overall, they are dedicated to putting quality first above all.
