Château de Parnay

A historic estate

Parnay's first fortress was built in the Middle Ages. Following the French Revolution, the Château de Parnay was burnt down by the Republicans in 1794. It became a symbol of the massacre of royalists condemned by the committees of France's revolutionary assemblies. In 1820, the Château de Parnay was reborn from its ashes, and a new Renaissance-style building was erected. In 1887, Antoine Cristal, the famous winemaker, inherited the estate from Madame Becquet de Marconnay. Father Cristal", as he was nicknamed, fulfilled his dream of taking up winegrowing again, and set about his passionate work. His beginnings were difficult because of phylloxera. This disease ravaged the vineyards, but Antoine Cristal proved ingenious. He grafted American vines onto his vines.

By uprooting all his infected plants and grafting them, he saved his vineyard. His innovative techniques were imitated by his colleagues. In 1891, his wine was honored by the city of Saumur, and in 1894, his white wine won a gold medal at the Paris competition. His production even outstripped that of Château Yquem at the Foire de Paris in 1905. The winegrower's exceptional destiny came to an end on January 24, 1931. It wasn't until 2006 that the Parnay vineyards were revived. Mr. Vincenot bought the property. Together with his son, he plans to perpetuate the quality and tradition of his predecessor Antoine Cristal.

A renowned terroir

Parnay is a French commune located in the Maine-et-Loire department, in the Pays de la Loire region. The Château de Parnay estate benefits from the AOC Saumur-Champigny appellation, as well as Anjou, Coteaux de l'Aubance, Crémant-de-Loire, Anjou-villages-brissac and Rosé-de-loire. The terroir is backed by more than two hectares of troglodyte cellars and boasts 35 hectares of vines, producing 150,000 bottles a year. Cabernet Franc and Grolleau are grown for the reds, while Chenin and Chardonnay are used for the whites. The estate has been producing certified organic wines since 2013. The vines grow on deep, rich clay-limestone and silico-clay soils, with an oceanic climate and summer temperatures. The terroir is divided into four parcels.

The first three straddle the communes of Parnay and Souzay-Champigny, 200 m from the Loire. The fourth is located on the heights of Dampierre-sur-Loire. On these plots nestles the château's treasure, Le Clos d'Entre les Murs. Le Clos d'Entre les Murs is located on the heights of the estate. Today, it is a classified historical monument. Its particularity lies in its structure. The vines are trained to grow through a hole in the wall and out the other, south-facing side. Today's owners attach great importance to this, as Clos d'Entre les Murs is a unique parcel in the world and emblematic of the Château de Parnay.

Exceptional wines

Château de Parnay produces grands crus from plot-based cuvées. Top of the bill is the red "Clos des Meuniers". This is a Saumur-Champigny made from Cabernet Franc grapes. It has a brilliant garnet-red color with a beautiful intensity. The nose is complex, with ripe, lively fruit. On the palate, it's deep, with red fruits blending with notes of roasting and spices. This wine is balanced and dynamic. In white, of course, there's the exceptional Clos d'Entre les Murs, a Saumur Blanc appellation wine made from Chenin grapes. Its color is an intense golden yellow. It offers a nose of rare complexity, with aromas of quince paste, cooked mirabelle plums and tobacco, as well as floral and mineral flavors. The attack on the palate is present and dense. This full-bodied wine retains great finesse, with a dynamic yet long finish. These two cuvées are the most prestigious of the terroir.