Quincy

Grower Profiles

Domaine du Coudray
There have been many generations of Nivets in the Berry. Father and son Philippe and Vincent can certainly trace their ancestors farming in Civray - about 25 kilometres south of Quincy - back to the time of the revolution.

Like most farmers here, the Nivets’ main business is arable farming, although in this instance they are at least growing their 300 hectares of cereal crops organically. This conscientious approach also extends to their five hectares of vines which have been farmed sustainably for the past decade and certified since the 2009 vintage, making them the sole organic producer in the appellation.

They started their vineyard adventure in 1995 and are signed up to the Cave Romane in Brinay, although the wines themselves are made in the Maison Blanche facility in Quincy; their vineyards split between the lieux-dits of La Pointe (1.5ha), Les Crèves Coeurs (1ha) and Les Brosses (2ha). The vines date from 1988 for the oldest to 2005 for the most recent plantings.

In 2009 the Nivets introduced a new partner in the business, Julien Jansen. His family are also organic céréaliers, although Jansen’s grandfather had also been a vigneron. The decision to move to certification was partly a decision of ethics, but there is also a motivation set down by the French government to offer subsidies to those prepared to move towards organic farming. Unfortunately for the Nivets the year of certification also coincided with some ill-timed weather conditions. Three separate hail storms compounded by mildew devastated their crop, leaving them with just nine hectolitres per hectare in 2009 (2006-8 were brought in at an average of 60hl/ha). Whilst spraying would have alleviated some of the problems, their desire for organic status (and the government grants that come with it) would have been lost for another three years.

There is a single wine produced. I tasted two very good examples from 2008 and, despite the issues of the year, the 2009 vintage. I very much hope that their organic approach continues and that it is sustainable. This remains a domaine to monitor over the coming years.

Domaine du Coudray
Philippe et Vincent Nivet, et Julien Jansen
Le Coudray
Civray
T: + 33 2 48 55 62 80
F: + 33 2 48 55 61 97
geacducoudray@wanadoo.fr

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