Jean-Francois Rouet is the owner of Famille Rouet, the sixth-generation winemaker in his family. He made his first vintage in 1992. He converted to organic viticulture in 1996, and received certification in 2005.
The Rouet estate is 14 hectares (35 acres), with vines 40-years-old on average. They produce 85% red wines and 15% rose (no white wine currently). The chalky soil in this vineyard is seasoned with alluvial sand. This siliceous component gives the wine a distinctive note of raspberries or cherries, depending upon its age. The domaine uses Seguin-Moreau oak barrels, Allier oak, and keeps the barrels for 4 years.
The Chinon AOC is 2,390 hectares (5,927 acres) and is planted with 3 different grape varietals: Cabernet Franc (most predominant), Cabernet Sauvignon (maximum of 10% allowed for the reds) and Chenin Blanc. There are currently 200 wineries, only 10 of which are certified organic.
