Producer · Loire, France

Sébastien Vaillant

Sébastien Vaillant runs the family estate in Valençay, in the Loire, founded by his grandfather in 1964. He took over in 2004 after working at several estates in France and abroad.

He has 31 hectares on clay and flint, the same flint once used for the flintlock pistols of Napoléon's armies. The vines are organic from 2024. A nearby forest casts a rain shadow, so things stay dry and healthy even in wet months. Valençay is the only place with official status for both its wine and its pyramid-shaped goat's cheese, which goes beautifully with it.

Unusually for the area, he grows Chardonnay as well as Sauvignon Blanc. Flinty Sauvignon brings minerality and Chardonnay adds richness, for an unoaked blend that is a nice change from Sancerre.

Winery at Valençay, Loire · Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay · £15.99 a bottle