Guillaume Sorbe

Guillaume Sorbe is part of a generation of winegrowers who work modestly, rigorously, and unrelentingly – and produce simply exceptional wines. After starting out as a cook, then a sommelier, he finally turned to winemaking, receiving his BTS degree in winemaking and viticulture in Beaune. This winegrower's son then founded his own estate in 2006, borrowing his great-grandmother's maiden name and patching together various family vine parcels – 28 of them, spread over 6 ha in the Reuilly and Preuilly appellations, and 1.5 ha in the Touraine appellation. Today, the estate actually covers 17 hectares, but only 7 are under vine (cultivated organically, of course); the rest is home to sheep (the emblem of the estate!), horses, chickens, honeybees and forest. Guillaume's adage is "Less but better", and that applies to his winemaking process. Each parcel is vinified separately in very small vats – a colossal undertaking, but one which allows him to understand the impact of each terroir with perfect clarity.