The Domaine

The vineyard is situated on the hillside, close to the Loire River; the south-westerly orientation bathes the grapes in light, and the clay-limestone slopes take on brown or blonde hues, giving their names to our best plots:

Les Brunetières and Les Blottières.

A River

Anyone familiar with the Loire knows that it has played a decisive role in the history of the wine trade for centuries. River transport was more economical than cart hauling and safer than the few roads, which were often overrun by bandits.

The cellar of Domaine NAU, nestled at the foot of terraced vineyards, has benefited from its geography, being just two kilometres from a river port named « Port Charbonnier, » which was essential to the circulation of wines.

The waterway gave rise to an active river fleet transporting all kinds of goods, including wines. It allowed navigation in both directions. By harnessing the dominant westerly winds, one could reach Orléans and then Paris, thanks to the construction of the Briare Canal in 1642. Taking advantage of the Loire’s favourable current, merchants could travel downstream to Nantes, a key hub for wine exports to Northern countries.

The toue, a small flat-bottomed Loire boat that can be rigged, is the symbol of Domaine NAU. The name « NAU » has several meanings depending on the region, but in Touraine, it is very likely derived from Nautae, meaning Naute or Nautonier—boatmen responsible for transporting goods along rivers and waterways.

On this side of the river, the south-facing clay-limestone slopes provide the foundation for great aging wines.