Château de Fosse-Sèche : Il Était une Fois

A generous and highly refined sparkling wine from the Loire

The estate

Founded between the years 800 and 1000 by Benedictine monks, the wine estate of Château de Fosse-Sèche belonged to the Church for several centuries. Passionate about wine and ecology, Guillaume Pire settled at the estate in 1998 with the ambition of crafting distinctive Loire wines that authentically express their terroirs of origin. In 2010, Guillaume was joined by his twin brother, Adrien.

The vineyard

Château de Fosse-Sèche tends 15 hectares of vineyards with a singular geology, farmed organically and biodynamically. Composed of flint and iron oxide, the soils also benefit from a cool, windy exposure. Together with their wives, Guillaume and Adrien Pire are deeply committed to an environmentally friendly approach. One third of the land is therefore devoted to vines, while the remaining two thirds are set aside to preserve biodiversity and nature.

The wine

Il Était une Fois from Château de Fosse-Sèche is a sparkling wine from the Loire made from a blend of several vintages.

Winemaking and ageing

Harvested in 2020, the grapes underwent a complete, spontaneous fermentation without the addition of yeast. The wine was aged on its full lees until the 2021 harvest, when it was blended with fresh grape juice from the estate. Naturally sweet and containing yeasts, this juice served as the tirage liqueur for a natural second fermentation.

Grape variety

Il Était une Fois from Château de Fosse-Sèche is made from 100% Chenin Blanc.