Olivier Bellanger

Olivier Bellanger, child of the '78 vintage, grandson and nephew of vignerons, lives in Monthou-sur-Cher. His career started down a rather traditional path, working 10 years as a vineyard worker at classic estates such as Domaine Philippe Tessier. But since Olivier launched his own estate in 2008, with his first vinifications in 2009, his wines have revealed a more vibrant personality than his background might suggest. With 11 ha, certified organic since 2012, the estate produces expressive, honest wines, thanks to a sensible and largely hands-off winemaking approach. The whites are only lightly sulphured at bottling, and reds even less so, possible in part thanks to Bellanger’s masterful barrel ageing. This is proper juice, not a single bottle gone awry. But what of that curious name on the bottle? 'La Piffaudière' (which loosely translates as ‘the winery’, or better, ‘the plonkery’!) isn't some amusing wordplay creation of the genial Olivier, but the actual name of his little Loire Valley hamlet! Crazy, right?