Loire Valley

Florian Roblin was born to a family of farmers, but he had wine in his veins. While working on the farm, he also looked after a small plot of vines that were retained for the family’s sole consumption. 

Fascinated by wine, he went from tasting to tasting, from domaine to domaine, and finally he took the decision to study winemaking. He trained with François Villard in the Northern Rhône, Jean-Louis Trapet in Gevrey-Chamberty, Alphonse Mellot in Sancerre, and his adventure truly began in 2006, when he planted his first vines on a family-owned plot called Champ Gibault. 

From planting his own vines (4 hectares), to looking after the vineyard and vinification, Florian does everything. 

He is extremely painstaking and meticulous. One could even have lunch on the floor of his postage-stamp-size cellar. Everything he produces from this overshadowed appellation is pristine.

Côteaux du Giennois is often referred to as the “poor man’s Sancerre” even though it is located 30km north of Sancerre. The splendid and elegant white with flinty characteristics can be described as the insider’s alternative to Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé.


Profile © Françoise and Seán Gilley

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