Manoir de la Tete Rouge was built in 1649 at the foot of the majestic Puy Notre Dame hill. Purchased in 1995 by Guillaume Reynouard, the 32 acre vineyard boasts the best clayish limestone of the Saumur terroirs.

In 1998, Guillaume decided to “stop polluting the ground” as he so eloquently puts it. He decided that the only way to go forward was organic. At first, the change was a difficult process as the parcels that had not been worked for about 30 years made it hard for farming instruments to work them and it was almost as if the vines were surprised and shocked to have their superficial roots snapped off. After all, no one had bothered them before…

Nowadays, the vineyard yields (17hl/acre) have been stabilized and the soils are richer than ever. Plants and insects, killed by chemicals, came back and are now contributing to the equilibrium of the terroir, thanks to the grass patches growing along the vine rows which are home to many species. 

Guillaume also recently started planting a long forgotten and disenchanted varietal known as Pineau d’Aunis, which had been ostracized from the Saumur AOC area.

The soils are toiled only superficially (no deeper than 2 inches) to get rid of the plants growing around the roots. The paths between the vines are loosened on a depth of 10 inches to allow for winter rains to seep into the grounds of the parcels and replenish underground water storage.

Certified Biodynamic Estate
Winemaker: Guillaume Reynouard