CHATEAU DE FESLES

The birthplace of one of the world's finest sweet wines, Château de Fesles spreads its wings as if to better protect its offspring, the vines that gently blossom at its feet, before transforming them into gold. The analogy is obvious, as the shades of Bonnezeaux from the Loire Valley are so close to the precious metal, with their deep yellow color and amber and gold reflections on the corolla. The mansion and its superb grounds were built in Thouarcé, 30 kilometers south of Angers, in the 18th century, but the site's viticultural vocation goes back much further, according to writings by the monks of Gué de Berge citing the Bonnezeaux cru as early as 1055. Over the centuries, the successive owners of Château de Fesles were aristocratic families who maintained the château and gradually developed the vineyards. It was in the 19th century that a family of winegrowers with a passion for wine, the BOIVIN family, acquired the property. For three generations, this family overcame many challenges, including the terrible phylloxera epidemic. They have also contributed greatly to the growth of the vineyard, to the improvement of viticulture and vinification techniques, and to commercial development. In 1991, the property was completely restored under the impetus of its owner at the time, Mr. Gaston LENOTRE. A thousand years after its creation, the Helfrich family, who have owned 45 hectares since 2008, continue to make the most of this terroir. With this in mind, since 2022, the entire Fesles vineyard has been certified organic.