Domaine de la Pépière Muscadet "Clos des Briords" '22

Founded by Marc Ollivier with seven hectares of land, the Pépière estate today is run by Rémi Branger and Gwénaëlle Croix. Rémi is a local who Marc has known since he was a kid. When his father retired in 2005, Marc purchased his land and Rémi started as an employee in 2006. Gwen became a partner in 2014, following a more circuitous path that included discovering a passion for wine while living in China. Marc will be the first to admit that adding new people and perspectives helped push Pépière forward. He largely credits Rémi as the impetus of finally converting to organic viticulture, Gwen for biodynamics. Things in the cellar have evolved as well, with longer periods of sur lie aging for the wines. 

Marc was among the few producers in the region to vinify his parcels separately to show the potential of Muscadet’s terroirs, and the pursuit has continued to provide the estate with many new cuvées, some of which you've likely seen at the shop before. Year after year, these crisp white wines remain among the best values in the wine industry, and they are a great alternative to Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. They drink beautifully in their youth and age stunningly well, so it's always a good idea to stock up while you can.

Marc began bottling the single-vineyard cuvée "Clos des Briords" in 1988, and the vineyard is located on the hillsides of the river Maine, a tributary of the Loire. It covers about four hectares, and the vines were planted between 1950 and 1989, with the vast majority between 50 and 70 years old.