The vineyards of Menetou-Salon lie in the north of the Centre Loire region and rub shoulders with appellations such as Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé.
In addition to the geographical location, another defining characteristic is its semi-continental which is particularly well suited to the cultivation of the vine and the secret to such incredibly fresh wines.
Our domaincovers more than sixty hectares of vines. Our plots were carefully structured by previous generations of our family and are situated in outstanding terroirs in ten of the appellation’s communes,
including Clos de Coquin, Clos des Barres, Clos Saint-Pierre, Clos de Bâton, Clos du Lardat, Clos de Blanchet and Clos des Treilles. Each plot is individually named in the land registry and benefits from its own microclimate as well as unique characteristics which were identified centuries ago by our ancestors.
We also cultivate plots of vines belonging to our partner winegrowers which are treated to the same care and attention as our own vines. Our vineyards are planted with two-thirds Sauvignon Blanc and one third Pinot Noir with the latter being used to produce our reds and rosés. Our vines are low, narrow and densely planted at 8,000 vine stocks per hectare which is the optimum threshold for aromatic expression. Our vines are deeply rooted in our soils which enables them to impart such exceptional complexity and minerality to our wines.
and yet the presence of small fossilized oyster shells scattered throughout our soils indeed attests to the existence of these waters. Over 150 million years ago the Jurassic period gave rise to a geological stratum known as Kimmeridgian Marine sediments deposited over millions of years have created ideal conditions for winegrowing. Our varietals thrive here and have resulted in what is one of the finest expressions of Sauvignon Blanc in the whole world. The region’s Pinot Noirs are also outstanding and develop a remarkably elegant profile when grown in these soils.
An outstanding terroir alone is not enough to produce outstanding wines however and the vine stocks must also be of the highest quality. The wines from Châtenoy come from very old vine stocks that receive our utmost care and attention allowing us to create consistently high-quality wines.
The majority of vines planted in France and around the world originate from ‘clonal selections’ meaning that the vine stock is reproduced identically and on a large scale for reasons of productivity and convenience. We, on the other hand, decided to opt for ‘massal selection’ as we take great pride in preserving the intangible legacy and genetic diversity of our vines. The selection was made from our oldest Sauvignon vines which were planted in 1927 by Pierre Alexandre Clément. In addition to the quality benefits of this meticulous work, we can’t help but feel that Pierre Alexandre’s spirit is still alive at the domaine !
The earliest records of Clos Saint-Martin go back to 1650 when it was owned by the Priory of Saint Martin.
Arround 1820, Tancrède Malfuson becomes the owner. His son, François Malfuson, succeeded him. This notable figure, well-known for his professional activity and his attachment to the city of Sancerre, was a legal representative at the court, a writer, and a pastor. Even at that time, a few hectares of vineyards surrounded this historically significant place.
The generations of the Malfuson family that follow will be passionate winemakers, depply involved in local life. Their Sancerre wines will be awarded at the Paris Universal Exposition in 1867, 1878, 1889 and 1900.
After the Malfusons, a long-time family friend of the Cléments took over in 1929 and ensured the preservation of the vineyard.
However, in 2016, following the death of the incumbent winemaker, the vineyard experiences a decline, and it is in 2020 that the CLEMENTS acquire the estate.
Intensive clearing and planting efforts have been undertaken, and now, the year 2023 marks the beginning of a new chapter for Clos Saint-Martin, reconnecting with its viticultural heritage.
The first harvest will take place in 2023.
Each vineyard plot has been meticulously cared for, thus reclaiming its initial glow.
The vines of Clos Saint Martin stand on vertiginous slopes that can exceed 40%.
The terroir stands out due to its notably rocky and stony soil, characterized by small, hard stones referred to as ‘caillottes.’
These Upper Jurassic limestones, dating back 160 to 165 million years, are characterized by layers of relatively flat white stones.
These soils benefit from excellent natural drainage, warming up quickly in spring, and reflecting heat during the day to later release it at night, promoting optimal grape ripening.
This geological feature imparts to our Sancerre wines their unique identity and distinctive character: the true expression of our terroir.
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