Domaine Bruno Dufeu Village: Benais Appellation: 12ha Bourgueil Grower: Bruno Dufeu Website: https://domainebrunodufeu.com/ The appellation of Bourgueil covers 1,350 hectares spread throughout seven communes on the right bank of the Loire River. Bruno Dufeu is located in the hamlet of Neusaies, part of the village of Benais, in the heart of the Bourgueil appellation. Bruno has taken over a family domain and farms 12 hectares. He has two parcels, one in the “sables” (sandy) lower slopes and one in the “argilo-siliceux” (clay-limestone) upper slope called Grand Mont. He farms according to the principles of “lute raisonnée” (sustainable farming) and is increasingly farming organically. Cuvée Grand Mont This cuvee is produced from the “Grand Mont” vineyard on the upper slopes, a vineyard considered to be among the finest in Bourgueil. The Cabernet Franc, known locally as“Breton” grows on a thick layer of “tuffeau” (limestone mixed with clay). Bruno Dufeu’s vineyard has an average age of 50 years and he severely prunes them to insure low yields and ripe fruit. The grapes are de-stemmed and then fermented in stainless steel vats. The maceration lasts between ten days and two weeks and M. Dufeu uses a gentle method of extraction to produce a wine of fine tannins and elegance that is nonetheless able to age well.