winemaker Guillaume NOIRE

Guillaume Noire is one of the new faces of the natural winegrowers of Maine-et-Loire. Always experimenting and looking for the expression of the terroir, Guillaume offers very beautiful, pure and sincere juices.

After a career in the Paris region in the advertising and spirits industries, Guillaume Noire felt the urge to explore new horizons. That’s when the idea of a career change to the wine industry began to take shape. Resourceful as he was, he enrolled in the BPREA program in Beaune and took a distance-learning course while continuing to work as an advertising professional (you’ve got to make a living!).

From the very beginning, he was interested in the philosophy of natural winemakers. He then reached out to Mark Angeli (a great mentor!) to pick up some advice and see how to put theory into practice. Guillaume then went on to complete a series of internships with Stéphane Rocher (La Ferme de Mont Benault). With his diploma in hand in 2017, he took the plunge! He packed up his wife and kids and headed for Anjou.

They settled in Rablay-sur-Layon where he found a charming house in the middle of the village. He acquires a few hectares of organically cultivated vines located between Rablay and Champ-sur-Layon. Under the guidance of the Ménard family (Winery des Sablonnettes) Guillaume harvests and vinifies his first vintage in 2017.

Guillaume’s wines quickly caught the attention of foreign importers. It’s true that the work is there, and it’s done well. His Winemaker philosophy Winemaker Guillaume explains: “A traditional, farmer-style approach based on respect for nature. Grapes and nothing but grapes, grown without herbicides or pesticides, then vinified with no additives other than an infinitesimal amount of SO2, used only when absolutely necessary.”

In the winery, here are a few principles that Guillaume follows: organic grapes, healthy harvests, gentle pressing, minimal racking, and long maceration for the reds.

Self-taught and meticulous, Guillaume uses grape varieties as his primary starting point. A table titled “Elements” serves as a guiding principle on the labels of his various vintages.

The wines are bursting with freshness and usually have a slight effervescence when first opened (a sign of natural protection); don’t hesitate to give each bottle a gentle shake after opening.

A talented winemaker to follow closely.