German
Although wines from the “Tue Boeuf” vineyard in the town of Montils are said to have graced royal tables as far back as the Middle Ages, the Puzelat family’s estate remained a mixed farm producing wine, asparagus, strawberries, and grains until the 1970s. Jean and Solange Puzelat, however, recognized the geological richness of this vineyard and converted their parents’ farm to dedicated viticulture. In the 1990s, their two sons, Jean-Marie and Thierry, took over the winery; the former has since retired. Today, Thierry is actively supported by his two daughters, Zoé and Louise. The two women play a key role in their father’s dynamic work and, year after year, produce a variety of wonderful wines from Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Menu Pineau, Chenin Blanc, Romorantin, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Côt, and Pineau d’Aunis.
6 Route de Seur
41120 Les Montils, France
Phone +33 254 440516
Winery Size 16 Hektar
They have made it their mission to preserve old French grape varieties that have nearly been forgotten—fortunately for all of us: after all, treasures like Romorantin or Menu Pineau don’t often find their way into our glasses. The Puzelats harvest and vinify their grapes by parcel rather than by grape variety, which further underscores the special importance they place on “terroir.” The “Clos de tue boeuf” vineyard is particularly characterized by its flint- and chalk-rich soils, whereas the grapes for the “Brin de Chèvre” and “La Guerrerie,” for example, grow on the flint-clay mixture of the Monthou Plateau. But what resonates in all their wines is an exciting smokiness and plenty of “glou-glou”!