The Huchet family has run the Domaine de la Chauviniere for four generations, and it comes with a rich history. The dwelling, well-situated on the top of a hill along the Maine River, has a chapel. As far back as they can go, writings show that it was a rest home for the missionaries of Saint Clement’s community, attached to the oratory. During the Revolution, Chauviniere was a hiding place for Father Agaisse, a priest who refused to sign the revolutionary agreements and no longer recognized the royalty. The cellars of the monastery, as well as the bourgeois house located on its right, were bought by Jeremie’s great-grandfather Joseph Arnaud (wine grower and miller). His son-in-law Constant Huchet took over the vineyard of 6 Ha in 1945. He farmed the last plantings of young vines until he was 86 years old, and today continues to check on the winery's work with his almost daily tastings.
In 2001, Jeremie Huchet took over the family estate from his father, Yves, an already respected and recognizable winegrower. With the acquisition of the Clos Les Montys at Chateau de Goulaine (vines planted in 1914), he extended his Chateau-Thebaud vineyard and, since 2006, has been farming the Chateau de la Bretesche on the slopes of the Sevre (gneiss terroir). There are 57 hectares on which Jeremie devotes all his energy.
Sustainable agriculture has been practiced at Jeremie Huchet since he took over, with the estate obtaining certification AB. The parcel "La Templerie" has been certified AB since 2010. Huchet stopped using artificial fertilizers more than 25 years ago, and all cuvees originate from entirely cultivated and plowed vines, forcing the roots to look for minerality in the depths of the terroir.
The terroir of Chateau-Thebaud (Where the La Chauviniere wines are from) is unique, comprising only about 4% of the appellation, making it a small but distinct area within the Muscadet vineyard. The soil is shallow, ranging from 20 to 30 cm deep, and consists of coarse elements like sand, gravel, and pebbles. This hot, well-drained soil ensures early budding of the vines. The underlying bedrock, known as the granite of Chateau- Thebaud, is vertically faulted and highly fractured, allowing vine roots to penetrate deeply. This deep rooting enables the vines to access water and minerals consistently, resulting in perfectly ripe grapes with a beautiful sugar and acid balance.
