A passion for wine, a love of nature
17 December 2024
Winter is coming, and vineyard work is put on hold until pruning begins at the beginning of the year. It’s an opportunity for winemakers to spend part of their time on other horizons, including Murlin.
From Chinon to Murlin, it’s 259 kilometers, or around 3 hours’ drive. That’s the way taken by the Lambert family and all the team from the domain with the same name on this wintry Monday in December. It was a day dreamed up and organized by Claude Vidal – agent for Tonnellerie Saury – and Antoine Lambert, son of Pascal, now head of the estate. “I found out this morning that we were coming to Murlin, and it was my son who organized everything with Claude. And it’s a good idea. I’ll let myself be driven now. More retired than retired, Pascal appreciates this immersive trip to the village nestled in the heart of the Bertranges. “I know the Bercé forest, it’s not far from where we live. Les Bertranges I only knew by name, I’d never been there before. I’m surprised (and so are all the team members) by what’s going on here. In the forest, explained in detail by Maël, the questions follow one another. Tree age, growth rate, soil, soils, plot management… Not a single question goes unanswered, which satisfies Pascal: “It’s important to understand the forest. I feel that what we’ve been given to see and understand today is a reward for all of us who have our heads in the sand for the rest of the year.”
I’ve never seen anything like it!
The owner’s tour continues with the log yard, the stave mill… The day’s guests are attentive and willing to listen. It’s a dialogue between enthusiasts. The origin and quality of the wood are at the heart of discussions. Antoine, the son, is interested in the material and how it is used: “How many barrels can you make from a log? What do you do with what isn’t transformed into stavewood? The visit to the stave mill was like the final bouquet of July 14th: “I’ve seen the forest, I’ve seen the cooperage, but the log yard and the work of the stave millers, it’s the first time I’ve seen that, it’s impressive. You can’t imagine all the work and stages involved in making a barrel,” says Pascal. Time passes without anyone really paying attention. It’s time to head for the Manufacture tonnelière La Grange, where Danny is waiting for the Indroligérian delegation for a cooperage demonstration. From rose setting to bending and toasting, all the manufacturing stages are explained with passion: “This village is incredible. The forest, the stave mill and the cooperage all in one place, it’s unique.”
The Lambert estate
Located in the Loire Valley, Domaine Lambert covers 26 hectares of vines in Chinon and Cravant-les-Coteaux. Pascal Lambert and his wife, Béatrice, founded the domaine in 1987. The grape varieties grown are Cabernet Franc (for reds and rosés) and Chenin (for whites). Passionate and in love with the land, the estate has been certified organic for 25 years and, since 2005, the vines and soil have been worked biodynamically. Part of their production is aged in Tonnellerie Saury barrels.
Pascal and Béatrice were joined by their son Antoine in 2020. Trained as a baker, Antoine has developed a passion for terroir, wine, winemaking and working the land. He follows in the footsteps of his father Pascal, who himself learned to make wine from his grandfather. A family story steeped in tradition and love of the land.
Domaine Lambert
Les Chesnaies – 37500 Cravant-les-Côteaux
