List of products by brand CLOS ROUGEARD

Based in Chacé, Maine-et-Loire, Clos Rougeard farms 10 hectares under biodynamic certification on the slopes of Saumur-Champigny, over argilo-calcaire soils on tuffeau bedrock. Founded in 1664 and elevated to legend by the Foucault brothers from the 1970s onwards, the estate made history in 1990 when its cuvée Le Bourg outscored Pétrus in a blind tasting. Acquired in 2017 by the Bouygues family, owners of Château Montrose, it remains one of the Loire's most exacting addresses. At Halles Quercamps, we have selected this estate for the singular character of its tuffeau terroirs, the precision and depth of its Cabernet Francs, and the rigour of a biodynamic approach applied without compromise. A defining Loire reference we are proud to list.

Clos Rougeard is among the most respected estates on the Loire. Founded in 1664 in Chacé, Maine-et-Loire, it brings together 10 hectares farmed in biodynamy across the Saumur-Champigny and Saumur appellations, planted to Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc.

A Loire legend rooted in Saumur-Champigny

Few estates in the Loire Valley can claim a history as long or as consistent as Clos Rougeard. Founded in 1664, it passed through the centuries before the Foucault brothers — Charly and Nady — transformed it into a benchmark during the 1970s and 1980s. Their approach was uncompromising: low yields, meticulous work in the vineyard, and an unhurried élevage that set their wines apart from the prevailing style of the appellation. The estate's reputation reached a defining moment in 1990, when Le Bourg — one of its flagship red cuvées — outscored Pétrus in a blind tasting. For a Saumur-Champigny to surpass one of Bordeaux's most celebrated wines in such a context spoke volumes about the quality that the Foucault brothers had quietly achieved.

Tuffeau terroirs and biodynamic viticulture

The 10 hectares of Clos Rougeard sit on the coteaux of Chacé, where the dominant soil type is argilo-calcaire over tuffeau — the pale, porous limestone that defines the finest terroirs of Saumur and Saumur-Champigny. Tuffeau retains moisture during dry summers while draining freely in wet seasons, creating a natural balance that encourages deep root development and measured ripening. The estate also holds several parcels on sandy clay soils, adding a further dimension to the range. The parcel known as Les Poyeux benefits from a south-facing exposure, capturing maximum sunlight across the growing season. The estate is certified in both organic agriculture and biodynamics, a dual commitment that reflects the Foucault brothers' original philosophy and has been maintained since the Bouygues family's acquisition in 2017.

Continuity under the Bouygues family

In 2017, Clos Rougeard passed to Martin and Olivier Bouygues, who also own Château Montrose in Saint-Estèphe. The transition was handled with care: the biodynamic certifications were preserved, the vineyard team remained in place, and the estate's identity was respected. The Bouygues family brought the financial stability of a serious proprietor without seeking to alter what had made Clos Rougeard extraordinary in the first place. For followers of the estate, that continuity has been reassuring.

The wines of Clos Rougeard

The estate produces both red and white wines from its Saumur-Champigny and Saumur appellations:

• Saumur-Champigny (red) — Cabernet Franc on tuffeau and argilo-calcaire soils; structured, precise, with the mineral tension and ageing potential that define the appellation's finest expressions.
• Saumur (white) — Chenin Blanc vinified with the same rigour as the reds; dry, focused, and capable of considerable longevity in the cellar.

Why we have selected Clos Rougeard

We list Clos Rougeard because it represents something genuinely rare: a Loire estate with a documented history stretching back to 1664, a terroir of real distinction on tuffeau, and a winemaking philosophy built on restraint rather than intervention. The blind tasting result of 1990 was not a marketing exercise — it was a moment of recognition for work done quietly and without fanfare over many years. We recommend these wines to enthusiasts who understand that Cabernet Franc on tuffeau can age as gracefully as the finest Bordeaux, and who are building a cellar with depth and variety in mind. At the table, the reds of Saumur-Champigny are well suited to roast lamb, game birds, or a well-aged hard cheese; the Chenin Blanc whites pair beautifully with river fish, goat's cheese, or simply as an aperitif for those who appreciate a wine of real character.

Discover all wines from this estate

Browse the full selection of Clos Rougeard wines — reds and whites from Saumur-Champigny and Saumur — listed below.