Domaine Charles Joguet

Charles Joguet took over his family estate in 1957, bringing a background in fine arts to his work as a vigneron. He played a defining role in reshaping the reputation of Chinon by demonstrating that the appellation's finest vineyard sites deserved to be bottled separately rather than blended together, an approach that was uncommon at the time. In 1985, Jacques Genet joined as a partner, providing the investment needed to expand the property. Charles Joguet retired in 1997 to pursue his passion for painting and sculpting, leaving management of the estate to the Genet family. Today, Anne Charlotte Genet leads the domaine, while Kevin Fontaine has overseen both the vineyards and winemaking since 2005.

The estate comprises 36 hectares of vineyards situated primarily on the slopes and plateaus surrounding Chinon. These holdings are divided into distinct parcels with varied geological profiles. The plots near the Vienne River are composed largely of gravel and sand, producing wines of freshness and early approachability, while hillside vineyards such as Clos de la Dioterie feature clay and limestone soils that yield more structured, age worthy Cabernet Franc. The domaine converted to organic farming and received official certification in 2016. Fermentations rely on indigenous yeasts, with élevage tailored to each cuvée in a combination of stainless steel, concrete, and French oak.

Charles Joguet is regarded as one of the benchmark estates of Chinon, producing Cabernet Franc that clearly expresses the character of the appellation's diverse terroirs. Its most celebrated wines include the single vineyard bottlings Clos du Chêne Vert and Clos de la Dioterie, the latter planted with vines that are more than 80 years old. These wines are admired for their structure, complexity, and ability to evolve gracefully in the cellar for decades. In addition to its red wines, the domaine also produces a small quantity of Chenin Blanc and dry rosé. More than half a century after Charles Joguet first championed vineyard specific bottlings, the estate remains one of the Loire Valley's enduring references for terroir driven Cabernet Franc.