Côte Roannaise

Grower Profiles


Bonichons

Alain Demon

A former factory worker from the north of France, Alain Demon turned his attention to wine after being made redundant, arriving in the Roannaise in 1980 at the age of 35. He started his own domaine, renting vineyards around Ambierle, including a parcel in the Bonichons lieu-dit. These particular vines were between 15 and 50 years old and were sold by Demon under his ‘Reserve’ label. He also made Rosé and a little Vin de Pays d’Urfé from a parcel of Gamay excluded from the appellation.

After ten years, he had successfully established himself as one of the leading growers in the appellation. He retired in 2005 at the age of 60, selling his Domaine de la Perrière to newcomer, Philippe Peulet (see separate entry). His own son, a woodcutter by profession, was not interested in taking on the vines.

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