A walled-in property in AOC Saumur Champigny.
By far the most amazing vineyard and the most immeasurable means of maturing wine conceived by Father Cristal at the end of the nineteenth century. Vine stems to the north, grapes facing south, so that the vines, protected by the surrounding walls, could grow successfully. He put his ideas into action. In this wonderful 10 hectare vineyard where it is so agreeable to wander, the parallel walls are pierced 50 cm from the ground in order to let the vine head pierce through. Father Cristal, a friend of Clemenceau, bequeathed his strips to the Saumur Hospices. Nowadays, the estate belongs to the town hospital and is run, following organic cultivation methods, by Eric Dubois, master of the wine store. Visits by appointment. 49400 Champigny, France. Tel.: +33 2 41 52 96 08. www.clos-cristal.com
