Our producer: Domaine Pattes Loup
The Domaine Pattes Loup is a family business that is now in the 3rd generation. After studying oenology in Beaune, Thomas Pico took over the eight hectares of vineyards from the family estate, which he now cultivates, in 2004. His grandfather had also planted these sites, his father took over the vineyards in the 1970s.
With a height of approx. 300 meters above sea level, these are some of the highest areas of the Chablis. His first step was the complete conversion to organic viticulture. Even if he initially tried to prohibit his father from reading and selecting the young Thomas Pico exclusively by hand. He reduced the number of cases and intervened as little as possible in the course of nature.
In a wine-growing region like the Chablis, organic viticulture bears far more risks and is therefore nowhere near as widespread as in other, significantly warmer regions of France. The weather is unpredictable and the risk of losing a harvest is correspondingly high.
For the development of his wines, Thomas relies on a combination of steel tanks, concrete eggs and used wooden barrels, depending on the cuvée. Concrete eggs and steel tanks are predominantly used in his Chablis Village, while most of the 1er Cru wines are matured in used wooden barrels. All wines are fermented spontaneously and unfiltered and bottled with minimal use of sulfur.
The care and conviction with which Thomas Pico viticulture is paying off. The wines are now internationally recognized as a reference for innovation from the Chablis. They are rare and sought after, because they combine elegance and minerality with a delicate filigree and an almost outrageous drinking pleasure.