Chateau du Moulin-à-Vent dates back to 1732 and gave its name to the appellation when it was created in 1936. The estate has 37 hectares of vines across the appellation’s finest terroirs on mostly granitic soils rich in iron oxide, copper and manganese. This is a single-site Gamay from the 4.4ha Croix des Vérillats vineyard, which neighbours La Rochelle and was planted at 10,000 vines per hectare in the 1950s.

This estate is emblematic. When the Moulin-à-Vent appellation was created in 1936 it took its name from the windmill that overlooks the vineyards

Yields are limited to 27hl/ha. Hand-harvested grapes are destemmed and cold-soaked for three weeks before fermentation, including 25% whole bunches. Pumping over and some pigeage (foot-stomping) aid extraction and contribute roundness and finesse. 65% of the wine is aged in medium-toast Allier and Vosges oak barrels (20% new) for 12 months. Annual production is around 900 dozen and the wine is recognised for its combination of elegance, concentration and solid structure.