François Chidaine

François Chidaine’s domaine sits in the heart of the Loire Valley, primarily in Montlouis-sur-Loire, right across the river from its more famous neighbor, Vouvray. The winery is based in the village of Husseau (part of Montlouis), with vineyards sprawling over about 45 hectares: roughly 22 ha in Montlouis, 10 ha in Vouvray (including the historic Clos Baudoin), and the rest under the broader Touraine appellation for reds, rosés, and some Sauvignon Blanc.

The estate is very much a family affair today, run by François and his wife Manuela (who also manages their excellent wine shop, La Cave Insolite), with their children increasingly involved. It started small—François took over just a few rented hectares from his father Yves in 1989 after viticultural school. He quickly converted to organic farming in the early 1990s and went fully biodynamic by 1999, one of the pioneers in the region.

A big leap came in 2002 when he and cousin Nicolas Martin acquired the legendary Clos Baudoin in Vouvray from Prince Poniatowski, eventually buying out parcels and expanding significantly.Chidaine is widely credited with putting Montlouis back on the map—once considered Vouvray’s “little brother” and even part of it until the 1930s AOC split. His pure, precise Chenins (dry, off-dry, sweet, and sparkling) are electric, mineral-driven beauties that age gracefully. Though a 2010s appellation rule forced his Vouvray wines to be declassified if vinified in Montlouis, the quality speaks for itself. A true Loire icon. 

Buy François Chidaine wine below.