Domaine du Clos Saint Martin, Sancerre

For over four centuries, the Clément family has been deeply rooted in viticulture, beginning in 1560 in Menetou-Salon. Today, 15th-generation siblings Anne and Pierre-Alexandre carry on this legacy. Clos Saint-Martin, dating back to 1650 and once owned by the Priory of Saint Martin, was later acquired in 1780 by François Malfuson, a devoted Sancerre advocate. After decades of stewardship the vineyard declined, following the death of its last winemaker in 2016. The Cléments revived the estate in 2020, now certified organic and farmed with a deep commitment to sustainability.

They sow cover crops of cereals and legumes between rows to prevent erosion and support biodiversity, and plant hedges and fruit trees to enhance the ecosystem. The steep, 40% slopes of Clos Saint-Martin are covered with 'caillottes'—small, hard limestone stones from the Upper Jurassic era—offering excellent drainage, heat retention, and ripening conditions. After extensive replanting, the vineyard saw its first harvest in 2023, marking a return to tradition with renewed energy and care.