Alexandre Bain - Loire

Alexandre has been based in Tracy-sur-Loire since 2007, in the heart of the Pouilly-Fumé appellation, just a few kilometers from Sancerre. Although he grew up without vineyards, his passion for the land was instilled by his grandfather, a farmer. At 18, Alexandre pursued oenology in Beaune, and after working in various vineyards, he purchased a few hectares of vines in the Loire Valley. It was there that he met his neighbor, Sébastien Riffault, and the two quickly bonded over their shared vision for biodynamic winemaking. Alexandre uses a Percheron horse, named Phénomène, to cultivate his vineyards, and both he and Sébastien practice minimal intervention in their wine production.

Alexandre bain
 

Alexandre believes that natural wine best expresses the terroir, without the interference of chemicals or sulfur that can obscure the authenticity of the land. His estate now spans 11 hectares and produces 50,000 bottles annually. Despite increasing production, Alexandre remains committed to using only Phénomène for vineyard work and refrains from adding sulfur to his wines. His style of Sauvignon Blanc is distinct from traditional Pouilly-Fumé wines, as he allows the grapes to reach peak ripeness, harvesting later than most producers. The resulting wines are richer, more aromatic, and denser, yet still pure expressions of terroir, with nothing added or taken away.

In 2014, Alexandre’s wines were removed from the Pouilly-Fumé appellation due to various reasons, including the height of grass between vine rows. After a long battle, he regained the right to use the Pouilly-Fumé name. Alexandre’s commitment to producing natural wines, free of additives and with minimal intervention, has made him known for his exceptional, free-spirited Sauvignon Blancs. His wines are celebrated for their depth, vibrant aromas of exotic fruits and spices, and remarkable balance between freshness and maturity.

Though Alexandre’s wines diverge from the traditional Pouilly-Fumé style, they are uniquely pure and lively, capturing the essence of the land.