Patrick Baudouin

The original Baudouin domain was created by Patrick’s great grand-parents, Maria Juby and Louis Juby, who at the turn of the 20th century inherited vineyards in Bruandières in Saint-Aubin de Luigné. In 1920 they decided to settle in Chaudefonds-sur-Layon and become winemakers. After a period living in Paris and doing a variety of other jobs, Patrick came back to Anjou in 1990 to rebuild the estate based on the stock available in the cellar and on the few vines that remained on the estate’s beautiful hills.

Patrick Baudouin’s domaine currently stretches across fourteen hectares of vineyards on the beautiful terroir of « Black Anjou » – unique, pure soils of schist, sandstone and volcanic rocks. Of these, 10 hectares are planted with Chenin Blanc, and the remaining 4 with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon; all of them spreading over Chaudefonds-sur-Layon, Saint-Aubin de Luigné, Rochefort-sur-Loire and Savennières.

Patrick believes that his work is not to make wines, but rather ‘give birth’ to them – it’s not by chance that many think of him more as a philosopher than as a winemaker. He delivers wines distinctively marked by their terroir, fermented slowly and naturally in barrel, with minimal addition of sulphites. These expressive bottles, all with great potential for ageing, are primarily made in the vineyard, where Patrick and his team work intensely, following organic principles, with great care given to each single plant. But what really make his wines so special is his deep understanding of each of the local grapes, their affinity to each terroir and the history of the local places & people.