Domaine Complémen'Terre

Manuel Landron & Marion Pescheux — Loire Valley

Domaine Complémen'Terre is a collaborative project run by Manuel Landron and Marion Pescheux, a husband-and-wife team in the Muscadet region of the Loire Valley. Manuel is the son of the legendary Muscadet producer Jo Landron, and after working abroad in New Zealand and Chile, the couple returned home to establish their own project in 2013. The name, a playful combination of "complément" (complement) and "terre" (earth), reflects their philosophy of working with the land to produce balanced and expressive wines.

A Philosophy of Terroir and Biodynamics

Manuel and Marion's philosophy is rooted in a deep respect for their land and a desire to showcase the unique volcanic terroir of the Muscadet. They believe in a hands-on approach that is both meticulous and non-interventionist.

  • Organic & Biodynamic Farming: The domaine is certified organic and practices biodynamic principles. They are dedicated to improving the biodiversity in their vineyards, even planting fruit trees and introducing beehives to create a more sustainable and regenerative ecosystem.

  • Low Intervention: In the cellar, their goal is to guide the wine with as little interference as possible. They use native yeasts for fermentation and avoid fining and filtration.

  • Minimal Sulfur: They use minimal or no sulfur dioxide (SO2​) before bottling, a practice that allows the pure, vibrant fruit to shine through.

The Vineyards and Terroir

Domaine Complémen'Terre is located in the Muscadet region, an area known for its diverse and ancient soils.

  • Location: The vineyards are spread across several plots near the villages of Le Pallet and La Haye Fouassière.

  • Grape Varieties: Their main focus is on Melon de Bourgogne, the signature grape of Muscadet, but they also grow small parcels of Folle Blanche and Gamay.

  • Volcanic Soils: The terroir is a mosaic of different volcanic soils, including gneiss, orthogneiss, amphibolite, and granite, all of which contribute a distinctive mineral and structured quality to their wines.

Winemaking and Process

Manuel and Marion's winemaking is a precise and thoughtful process. They vinify each parcel separately to allow the unique character of the terroir to be expressed.

  • Harvest & Aging: Grapes are hand-harvested and pressed gently. The wines are aged on their lees (the dead yeast cells) for a longer period than most Muscadets, which gives them a noticeably richer texture and vibrancy.

  • Vessels: They primarily use underground concrete tanks for fermentation and aging.

  • Malolactic Fermentation: The wines are allowed to go through malolactic fermentation, which softens the acidity and adds complexity.

Signature Wines to Discover

The wines of Domaine Complémen'Terre are a far cry from the simple, thin Muscadets of the past. They are known for their structure, tension, and intense minerality.

  • La Croix Moriceau: A single-vineyard Muscadet that is known for its taut acidity and salty, mineral-driven character.

  • NoLem: A unique cuvée often made in a pét-nat style from young vines.

  • Le Breil: Another single-vineyard Muscadet from a highly regarded parcel.

Address & Contact

Domaine Complémen'Terre is a small, family-run business. Visits are by appointment only.

  • Address: 35 Les Ratelles, 44690 La Haye Fouassière, France.