Winemaker Annick Tinel is continuing her family’s 400+-year-old winemaking traditions at Pouilly-sur-Loire. Annick Tinel took over the estate from her parents, Camille & Fernand Blondelet, in 1983, becoming a 12th generation wine grower. Her daughter, Marlene, could become the 13th.
More than 50 years ago, Fernand Blondelet was cultivating a few hectares of vines in the heart of Pouilly sur Loire, in addition to his other agricultural and farming endeavors. Over time, he decided to focus his activity exclusively on viticulture. He became the first to open a wine-tasting cellar, “A la Cave du Vigneron”, along the famous Nationale 7. The cellar exists to this day.
Later, he took the opportunity to buy some plots of vines in Thauvenay, a village close to Sancerre.
Today the winery covers 15 hectares (37 acres) of vineyards, divided into 3 parcels in Sancerre and 16 parcels in Pouilly:
Annick Tinel focuses on the quality of the vineyard to obtain the optimum maturity of the grapes. She combines the use of modern techniques (pneumatic press, thermo-regulator, etc.) with traditional vinification methods to give richness and aromatic complexity to the wines.
Tinel-Blondelet produces Sauvignon Blanc, Chasselas and Pinot Noir. The total production averages 8,000 cases per year, 60% of which is exported.
