Domaine des Sables Verts

Domaine des Sables Verts is a young Loire operation run by Caroline Meurée and Hervé Malinge, who established the estate in Saumur-Champigny in 2019 after meeting during winemaking studies in Bordeaux. Across 16 organically farmed hectares spanning five villages, they grow Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc on deep clay-limestone soils enriched with tuffeau and green sand—the 'sables verts' that gave the domaine its name. Their minimal-intervention approach in the cellar lets the terroir speak clearly: expect pure, mineral-driven wines with real precision and age-worthiness from a producer building a serious reputation in just five years.

About Domaine des Sables Verts

Caroline and Hervé's winemaking philosophy centres on minimal intervention, both in the vineyards and at harvest. The estate spans five separate parcels—Varrains, Chacé, Saumur, Souzay-Champigny and Parnay—each contributing distinct soil profiles to their final blends. With 15 hectares devoted to Cabernet Franc and one to Chenin Blanc, the couple have developed a focused range that reflects their understanding of Saumur's geology and microclimate.

Their Saumur Blanc originates from 30-year-old Chenin vines rooted in terrain combining sand, clay and limestone in equal measure. Hand-harvested fruit is vinified with minimal manipulation, resulting in a wine of textured finesse—fresh citrus and ripe apricots layered with mineral precision. The flagship 'Les Rouères' Saumur Blanc, made from a 40-year-old plot on the same soil type, takes a different path: fermented and aged in new French oak barrels for 12 months on its fine lees. This approach delivers an intensely floral wine displaying grapefruit and ripe pear character, anchored by crisp acidity and a distinct mineral edge that speaks directly to the terroir.

For red wines, Caroline and Hervé source their main Saumur-Champigny from four separate Cabernet Franc parcels across the estate. Hand-harvesting precedes fermentation in stainless steel, followed by five months of ageing before bottling. The result is a wine built on juicy raspberry and redcurrant fruit, with supple tannins and a crisp, clean finish—true to the varietals' character in cool-climate Loire conditions.

Their most celebrated release, 'Les Poyeux' Saumur-Champigny, comes from 1.8 hectares within one of the Loire's most storied red wine sites. Vines planted in the 1950s grow on deep silica-limestone soils that yield extremely pure, layered wine. Indigenous yeast fermentation in stainless steel followed by 11 months in oak barrels creates a wine defined by ripe blackcurrant, blueberry and sweet spice, with velvety tannins and remarkable balance. The 2022 vintage scored 92 points at Decanter, confirming the couple's ability to make wines of genuine complexity and structure.

Domaine des Sables Verts Wines in Our Collection

The 2024 Saumur Blanc (90 points) represents the entry point to the domaine's white wine philosophy—textured, mineral-driven Chenin Blanc with fresh citrus and apricot character. For those seeking greater depth and age potential, the 2022 Les Rouères Saumur Blanc (90 points, Vivino 4) showcases what oak and lees contact can achieve: floral complexity, grapefruit notes and a mineral spine that rewards cellaring.

On the red side, the 2024 Saumur-Champigny (90 points, Vivino 3.8) delivers the pure, savory Cabernet Franc style the estate is building its name on—raspberry, redcurrant and crisp tannins at an accessible entry point. The 2022 Les Poyeux Saumur-Champigny (92 points Decanter, Vivino 4) is the statement wine: blackcurrant, blueberry and sweet spice with velvety structure and serious ageability. The 2023 vintage (85 points, Vivino 4) offers a more immediate drinking window, ideal for those wanting current pleasure from the domaine's finest vineyard site. All three reds share the house signature of clean extraction, mineral tension and food-friendly balance—wines that work equally well at dinner or as serious bottles for the cellar.

Food Pairing

The Saumur Blanc pairs superbly with seafood, creamy fish dishes and goat's cheese; the oak-aged Les Rouères suits richer preparations with white fish or poultry in cream sauces. The main Saumur-Champigny is natural with charcuterie, roasted poultry and light red meat dishes. Les Poyeux, with its darker fruit and structure, demands heartier fare: beef stew, venison, aged cheeses and game birds where the wine's tannin grip and mineral edge cut through richness and complement savoury depth.

What makes Domaine des Sables Verts different from other Loire producers?

Caroline and Hervé established the domaine in 2019 with a minimal-intervention philosophy across both vineyard and cellar. They farm organically across 16 hectares on distinctive green-sand and clay-limestone soils that define their mineral-focused wines.

Which wine should I buy if I want to age it?

The 2022 Les Poyeux Saumur-Champigny (92pts Decanter) from old vines on silica-limestone soils shows the structure and complexity for serious cellaring. The oak-aged Les Rouères Saumur Blanc also has excellent age potential.

Are the wines certified organic?

Yes, all 16 hectares of Domaine des Sables Verts' vineyards are organically farmed. The couple practise minimal intervention both in the vineyard and winery to preserve terroir expression.

Who makes Domaine des Sables Verts wines?

Caroline Meurée and Hervé Malinge established the estate in Saumur-Champigny, Loire Valley, in 2019 after meeting during winemaking studies in Bordeaux. They farm 16 organic hectares across five villages.

What style of wine does Domaine des Sables Verts make?

Cabernet Franc reds and Chenin Blanc whites using minimal-intervention methods. Expect pure, mineral-driven wines with precision. The 2022 Les Poyeux Saumur-Champigny scored 92 points, showing genuine complexity and structure.

How much does Domaine des Sables Verts wine cost?

Bottles range between £20.90 and £26.80. Entry whites and reds start around £21, while the flagship single-vineyard releases reach £26–£27.