The vineyard as a garden
BEDOUET Winegrower is
a family estate since
4 generations, managed in organic viticulture since 2010, located in the heart of the Nantes vineyard in the communes of Le Pallet and La Haye-Fouassière.
UNE TERRE, UN LIEU
Terroir & Geography
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On the outskirts of Nantes, on the right bank of the Sèvre river, Domaine BEDOUET Vigneron flourishes in the communes of Le Pallet and La Haye-Fouassière, in the heart of the Muscadet vineyards. This historic terroir benefits from a remarkable geological mosaic:
THE PALLET
The commune of Le Pallet is distinguished by the richness and diversity of its soils. The vines take root in a veritable geological mosaic shaped over millennia on the foothills of the Armorican Massif: Gabbro du Pallet, Mica schist and Gneiss which mark its terroir and its communal appellation.
This particular architecture gives the soil qualities essential to the proper functioning of the vine: remarkable drainage of water and air, a balanced mineral richness between silica, potassium and magnesium and gentle temperature management by releasing at night the heat stored during the day.
LA HAYE-FOUASSIERE
At the gateway to the vineyard, the commune of La Haye-Fouassière is the westernmost of the communal appellations. The vines take root in a terroir characterized by siliceous, stony to very stony soils with a subsoil composed of metamorphic rock (derived from granite , transformed by pressure and high temperatures during the formation of the Armorican Massif), predominantly Orthogneiss.
We also have a plot planted on Amphibolite soil.
Climate and biodiversity
CLIMATE
We benefit from a temperate oceanic climate. Mild temperatures, regular rainfall, and the absence of extreme variations have long provided an ideal environment for vineyards. These conditions are changing, and in recent years we have observed drier summers, abnormally high temperatures accompanied by drying easterly winds.
Faced with these changes, we are adapting our agricultural practices with clarity and respect, rather than fighting against nature.
BIODIVERSITY
Located near the Sèvre River, the estate benefits from a rich and diverse natural environment. Woods and small forests border our vineyards, providing shelter for wildlife and a valuable ecological balance. The meadows used for grazing bring a vibrant and complementary dynamic to the vineyards through the presence of animals.
Hedgerows, ubiquitous in the landscape, play a vital role. Composed of linden, elm, wild cherry, hawthorn, and wild plum trees, they promote biodiversity by providing habitat for a multitude of birds, insects, and small mammals. True ecological corridors, they enrich our land and contribute to the vitality of our soils. Thus, an entire ecosystem surrounds and supports the vineyard, reinforcing the close link between nature, agriculture, and respect for all living things.
WHY ORGANIC?
Our philosophy...
We didn't choose to be winemakers in Muscadet, we were simply lucky!
"Agriculture" comes from the Latin word "agros," meaning "field," and "culture" comes from the Latin word "cultum," meaning "to honor." Cultivating, therefore, is honoring the land to make it fertile. We respect the balance of nature and the seasons, keeping our soils alive so they produce healthy, high-quality grapes. This is how we can craft wines that fully express the potential of the great terroirs of Le Pallet and La Haye Fouassière, in terms of structure, elegance, and finesse. Our philosophy is to produce living wines, wines for epicureans, for virtuous pleasures.
We see trade as a sustainable and fair exchange, based on shared values. That's why we work on every plot and every wine with the same care. Work in the vineyard is rigorous and precise, because that's where the wine is made. Organic farming, with its soil cultivation, the prohibition of all synthetic chemicals, and practices based on the life of the soil and the vine, is both the foundation and the guarantee of this authenticity.
A STORY
A team
Between transmission and renewal, Bedouet Vigneron is writing a family story rooted in the vineyard and looking towards the future.
It all began with Henri Bedouet, born in 1899, a cooper and sharecropper—sharing the harvest equally with the vineyard owner—and his wife, Agathe. Their son, Henri, born in 1931, joined them in 1957. He started as a sharecropper, then became a tenant farmer (renting the vineyards) in 1977. Together with Marie-Jo, a strong-willed woman deeply rooted in her land, they continue this path with ambition and determination.
Michel, born in 1960, joined the family business in 1985, acquired the first vines in 1990, and has continued this family journey ever since. Inspired by Seneca and his quote, "It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult," he began converting the vineyard to organic farming in 2010. The first certified organic grapes were harvested in 2013. His son, Antonin, joined the estate in 2015. He brings with him specialized expertise in both mechanical and viticultural aspects, as well as a commitment to precise and meticulous work. He partnered with Michel in February 2020, continuing the family tradition, as Michel is set to retire in 2025.
To meet the challenges of daily life and give meaning to long-term projects, our team is fully committed and each member brings their skills to move forward.
Solenne, passionate about wine, former wine merchant and restaurateur, brings her sharp eye and oenological sensitivity.
Lilian has extensive experience in vineyard work and equipment; he is a solid pillar we can rely on.
Georges is the very example of the human and artisanal work that we value.
