Thibault
Stéphan
From urban planning in Normandy to limestone caves of Saumur. A Breton with no wine family history who found his vines through a newspaper ad—and proved that intuition beats inheritance.
Thibault Stéphan was born in Brest, Brittany, with no connection to the wine trade. After studying urban planning in Normandy, he redirected his life toward wine, training in Ardèche's blazing sun in 2011. Drawn westward by Chenin Blanc's call, he honed his craft with Loire icons Charles Joguet and Pierre Guiberteau. In 2015, he settled in Le Puy-Notre-Dame, finding his 4.5 hectares through a simple newspaper advertisement. Today, this certified organic estate produces crunchy, authentic wines classified as Vin de France—allowing intuition to trump appellation rules [^14^][^21^].
The Urbanist
Urban planning studies in Normandy led to Ardèche's harsh soils. No family vines, no inheritance—just pure determination and a newspaper ad that changed everything.
The Vigneron
Certified organic with biodynamic practices. All manual work, minimal intervention, SO₂ only at bottling. Part of the new generation putting Puy-Notre-Dame on the map [^21^].
The Tuffeau Method
Turanian chalk bedrock, 40-year-old vines, clay-limestone soils. Vin de France classification by choice—freedom from strict AOC rules allows intuition and emotion to guide the cellar.
Troglodyte Terroir
Rooted in Turonian tuffeau limestone—the same chalky stone that carved the Loire's famous cave dwellings. The 4.5 hectares sit in the Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame AOC, but Thibault chooses Vin de France classification to work without bureaucratic constraints, following instinct and seasonal emotion [^5^][^14^].
Average vine age: 40 years. All vineyard work manual—pruning, harvesting, soil work. Healthy, vibrant grapes vinified with minimal inputs in the cellars of Le Puy-Notre-Dame [^21^].
"Clean, fresh, fruity wines—authentic, crunchy, and indulgent. The pure expression of respectful work."— On Thibault's Philosophy
The Wines
Approximately 15,000 bottles annually. No orange wines—just precise, alive expressions of Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc. Feral, dark, and crunchy with zero bell pepper typicality [^10^][^14^].
Le Repenti Blanc
Chenin Blanc from 40-year-old vines on Turonian chalk. Natural fermentation, aged on lees. Precise, tense, and mineral—showing the cold terroir of southern Saumur. Bright citrus and pear notes with a vertical, tight structure. The lone white in a sea of red [^5^][^14^].
40 Year Vines
Tuffeau Soil
Faites Entrer la Cuvée
Cabernet Franc made crunchy and vibrant. No green bell pepper notes here—just dark cherry, blackberry, and wild feral energy. A wine that proves Cabernet Franc can be fruity and immediate rather than vegetal and brooding [^1^][^10^].
Crunchy
No SO₂
Les Vigneaux
From specific vineyard parcels in the Puy-Notre-Dame zone. Bright tart raspberries and cranberries—juicy, light, and super easy drinking. A basket of bright red fruits overflowing with freshness and vitality [^15^][^23^].
Bright & Tart
Juicy
Bacchus Grappes Entières
Whole cluster Cabernet Franc. 50% whole bunch fermentation brings spice and structure. Nine days maceration, ten months in 5-10 year old French oak. Fresh, concentrated, fruity—avoiding industrial yeast profiles completely [^11^][^27^].
50% Stems
10 Month Oak
Visit & Contact
Cellar in Le Puy-Notre-Dame, 30 minutes south of Saumur. Terroir rooted in Turonian tuffeau limestone caves. By appointment—come taste the new wave of Loire natural wine.
Domaine
Le Puy-Notre-Dame
Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame AOC
4.5 Hectares
Terroir
Turanian Tuffeau
Clay-Limestone
40 Year Vines
Method
Certified Organic
Biodynamic Practices
Manual Only
Style
Vin de France
Minimal SO₂
Clean & Crunchy