Les Tètes Pineau d'Aunis 2024

In the picturesque village of Le Pressoir in Touraine Azay-le-Rideau, four friends have created one of the Loire Valley's most charming natural wine projects. Les Tètes, founded by Nicolas Grosbois, Philippe Mesnier, Baptiste, and Vivien, embodies a refreshingly simple philosophy: make wines that friends love to drink together.

The name itself reflects their unpretentious approach—"Les Tètes" translates to "The Heads," and their lineup maintains this straightforward naming convention with bottles labeled simply as Tète Red, Tète Blanche, Tète Rosé, and Tète Orange. The exception is their celebrated pétillant naturel "Tète Au Bois Dormant" (Sleeping Beauty), named after the nearby Château de Rigny-Ussé, which inspired Charles Perrault's famous fairy tale.

Operating from Nicolas's cellar in Panzoult, near both Honoré de Balzac's birthplace and Alexander Calder's former workshop, Les Tètes sources grapes from their own biodynamically farmed parcels as well as from like-minded organic growers across France. The project extends beyond the Loire, with the quartet traveling to vineyards in the Rhône, Bordeaux, and Occitanie to personally participate in farming and harvesting decisions before bringing the grapes back to the Loire for vinification.

Their winemaking approach is decidedly natural: hand-harvested grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in concrete tanks, with no fining or filtration and only minimal sulfur additions at bottling (typically under 25 mg/L). This minimal intervention philosophy produces wines that are, in their own words, "fresh, fruity, and competitively-priced"—accessible natural wines that prioritize drinkability over complexity.

What sets Les Tètes apart in the natural wine movement is their collaborative spirit and focus on affordability. While many natural wine producers command premium prices, Les Tètes maintains that good, clean wine should be accessible to everyone. Their diverse range includes everything from light, peppery Pineau d'Aunis to vibrant Grolleau, crisp Chenin Blanc, and playful pétillant naturels made from unexpected grape combinations.

The project represents a new generation of Loire Valley winemakers who combine traditional terroir with modern sensibilities, creating wines that capture both the region's historic winemaking heritage and the contemporary natural wine movement's emphasis on transparency, sustainability, and above all, enjoyment.

The Loire Valley, stretching over 600 miles along France's longest river, represents one of the world's most diverse and historic wine regions. From the Atlantic-influenced vineyards of Muscadet to the continental climate of Sancerre, this UNESCO World Heritage site produces an extraordinary range of wine styles that have captivated enthusiasts for centuries.

Known as the "Garden of France," the Loire Valley's winemaking history dates back to Roman times, though it truly flourished during the Middle Ages when the region's proximity to Paris and its navigable river made it a crucial supplier to the French court. Today, the valley encompasses numerous appellations across four main sub-regions: Pays Nantais, Anjou-Saumur, Touraine, and the Central Vineyards.

The region's calling card is its exceptional white wines, particularly those made from Chenin Blanc, which reaches its pinnacle here. From bone-dry Savennières to lusciously sweet Coteaux du Layon, Chenin Blanc demonstrates remarkable versatility. Sauvignon Blanc shines in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, producing crisp, mineral-driven wines that have become global benchmarks. The Loire also excels with Melon de Bourgogne in Muscadet, creating pristine, oyster-friendly wines.

Red wine production, while less heralded, offers compelling expressions of Cabernet Franc, particularly in Chinon and Bourgueil. These wines showcase the grape's herbal complexity and age-worthy structure without the heaviness found in warmer climates. Indigenous varieties like Pineau d'Aunis and Grolleau add to the region's distinctive character.

The Loire Valley has embraced sustainable viticulture more than any other major French region, with a significant percentage of vineyards practicing organic or biodynamic farming. This commitment to environmental stewardship, combined with a new generation of innovative winemakers, has reinvigorated interest in Loire wines. From prestigious châteaux to small natural wine producers, the Loire Valley continues to offer wines of exceptional value, elegance, and terroir expression.