Domaine de la Petite Sœur (Adrien de Mello)

Domaine de la Petite Sœur is a small, natural winery located in Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné, in the heart of the Layon region of Anjou, Loire Valley, France. Founded in 2015 by Adrien de Mello, a passionate winemaker from Brittany, the estate spans approximately 3.5–4 hectares of vineyards on schist and limestone soils. The domaine is certified organic (AB, Ecocert) and biodynamic (Demeter), with Adrien farming manually alongside his draft horse, Toscane, to maintain soil health and biodiversity. The name “La Petite Sœur” was inspired by the birth of his daughter, the younger sister of his partner’s first child.

Adrien’s journey to natural winemaking is global and eclectic. He began learning vinification in Quebec in 2003, followed by stints in South Africa (at a 1300-hectare Stellenbosch domaine, where he was exposed to commercial practices he later rejected), the United States (First Colony Winery, Virginia), and back in Quebec. In France, he honed his skills in Beaune under natural wine icons like Philippe Pacalet and the Derain brothers, then spent four years in the Rhône Valley, where he made his first natural wine at a biodynamic estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. A pivotal moment came in 2015 during a lunch with natural wine legends Jean-François Chêne and Sébastien Dervieux (Babass), where tasting old vintages from the Hacquet sisters inspired him to abandon sulfur entirely.

Settling in Anjou in 2015, Adrien took over organic vineyard plots from Thomas Carsin at Château de la Genaiserie, where he also uses a historic cuverie. His vineyards, with vines aged 40–50 years, grow Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Gamay, including a rare parcel of Gamay Freaux (a teinturier variety). Despite challenges like hail in 2015 and frost in 2016, Adrien persevered with community support, including grape contributions from neighbor Philippe Delesvaux. His farming avoids chemicals, using herbal treatments, and he plows with Toscane to preserve soil vitality.