Saumur-Champigny

🇫🇷 France

AOC Rare find

Loire's most prestigious red appellation - elegant Cabernet Franc from tuffeau limestone caves

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Region profile

History

Tuffeau limestone quarried since Roman times created wine caves. Clos Rougeard founded 1664, Foucault brothers (Charly and Nady) pioneered organic viticulture 1970s. Their 2017 sale to Bouygues family for €12M shocked wine world - highest price ever for Loire estate. Château de Villeneuve (1577) and Domaine des Roches Neuves maintain excellence. Name "Champigny" means "fields of fire" (champs ignés).

Climate: Continental moderated by Loire; tuffeau limestone caves maintain 12°C year-round; south-facing slopes maximize ripeness
Signature wines: Clos Rougeard Le Bourg and Les Poyeux - legendary Cabernet Franc from 1664 estate, organic since 1970s, sold €12M in 2017
What sets it apart: Clos Rougeard €12M sale (2017) proved Loire red value; Foucault brothers pioneered organic 1970s; tuffeau cave aging at constant 12°C; "Champigny" = fields of fire

Facts

1,550 hectares
AOC 1957
Clos Rougeard sold for €12 million (2017) - highest Loire transaction
9 communes including Champigny, Dampierre, Saumur

Region profile from the Wine Memories wine-data corpus · verified January 2026