Winemaker: Simon & Lénaïg Batardière
Where: Rablay-sur-Layon, Anjou, Loire Valley & France
Size: 4 ha
Main Varieties: Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc
Viticulture: Working organic & Simon’s wife Lénaïg makes amazing herbal infusions from her carefully tended gardens
Quick note: 3 sites: Rablay-sur-Lyon (1,3 ha), Montbenault (1,2 ha), and Beaulieu-sur-Lyon (1,4 ha), small yields (30hl/ha), mainly Chenin planted
Located in the classic Loire Valley, in Rablay-sur-Layon, Anjou, since 2016, Simon and his family have produced beautiful Chenin and Cabernet Franc, with 2018 as the first vintage and only 4 hectares of vines, some as old as 100 years, the energy from these sites are clearly transferable in the wine. In early 2026 Simon’s wife Lénaïg joined the winery full time, and they finished their new cellar extension, which in general gave them more breathing room!
Simon has committed to thoughtful environmental practices in the vineyards, Lénaïg also creates herbal teas from their gardens, which we adore so much we had to import them! The older vine sites naturally give a lower yield, and with heritage genetics and the schist soil the intensity of the grapes can truly be felt in the austere, saline and elegant and yet fruit forward wines.
A natural vinification process then occurs, with spontaneous fermentation, no additions nor subtractions and appropriate maceration. Past work experience with Mai & Kenji Hodgson up the road from his cellar and Vincent & Marie Tricot in the Auvergne, has probably helped lead Simon’s use of barrel ageing and judicious lees work. The new cellar has meant that barrel ageing can properly happen in the old cellar, and instead moved pressing and receival to a more spacious room.
Coming from a music background - Simon has all the hallmarks of an artist. Humble yet energetic, quizzical and deeply focused - his wines are created with almost a melodic play to them. Together Lénaïg and Simon make a fiercely intelligent team, thoughtful in the gardens, vineyards and cellar, and yet still retaining that fun, slightly wild energy to them.
