Marie Carroget: Domaine La Paonnerie

Marie Carroget represents the sixth generation of winemakers at Domaine La Paonnerie, a pioneering natural wine estate nestled in the Ancenis region of the Loire Valley. After gaining experience in Paris as a photographer and antiques dealer, Marie returned to her family roots, joining her parents, Agnès and Jacques Carroget, on the farm in 2021 to secure the estate's future.

🌿 A Commitment to Natural and Biodynamic Winemaking

The Carroget family has long been at the forefront of sustainable viticulture:

• Organic Roots: Marie continues the legacy established by her parents, who converted the entire 13-hectare estate to organic farming in 1997 and gained full certification in 2000.

• Biodynamic Practices: The domaine embraced biodynamic farming starting in 2009, employing holistic methods like working with lunar cycles and using herbal preparations to enhance the vitality of the vines and soil.

• Polyculture: La Paonnerie is more than just a vineyard. It practices polyculture, utilizing a small flock of Ouessant sheep and Marans hens to naturally manage the vineyard floor.

• "Vin Méthode Nature": In the cellar, Marie and her family adhere to a philosophy of minimal intervention. The wines are typically made with indigenous yeasts, no filtration or fining, and with no added sulfur or very minimal amounts at bottling.

🇫🇷 Heritage and Vision

Domaine La Paonnerie cultivates classic Loire varietals—including Chenin Blanc, Gamay, Grolleau Noir, Grolleau Gris, and Melon de Bourgogne—on unique soils of schist and granite, which contribute to the freshness and minerality of their wines.

Beyond the winery, Marie and her wife, Élodie, co-organize the Canon Canon wine fair in Nantes, which exclusively features wines made by female winegrowers, highlighting her commitment to community and empowering women in the industry.

Marie Carroget's work at La Paonnerie is a seamless blend of ancestral tradition and a modern, deeply ethical approach, ensuring the estate's revered reputation for producing authentic, vibrant, and pure Loire Valley natural wines continues for generations to come.