Domaine Noctua - Exultet 2024 - Anjou Blanc

The Producer

Located in Vaudelnay, in the heart of Anjou-Saumur, Domaine Noctua is a recent adventure, born in 2021–2022 from the conversion of Marie and Amaury Vaganay. After paths far removed from the world of wine, they chose to settle in the Loire with a strong desire: to work with a living vineyard, respectful of its environment, and to produce sincere, low-intervention wines. The name “Noctua,” inspired by the little owl of Athena nesting in the cellar, symbolizes this close connection with nature and the attentive observation of life.

The estate now covers about 7.5 hectares, spread over a mosaic of typical Anjou soils: schists and volcanic rocks for the whites, clay-sandy silts and limestone for the reds. This geological patchwork, combined with a temperate climate influenced by the ocean, allows for a fine expression of the Loire grape varieties, primarily Chenin and Cabernet Franc. The vines are being converted to organic farming, with particular attention paid to soil life and the natural balance of the plots.

Today, Domaine Noctua offers a range of precise and committed wines, from Anjou whites to more unique reds and cuvées (natural sparkling, macerations, etc.). The vinifications are gentle, minimally interventionist, with low sulfites and no residual sugars, allowing the terroir to express itself as best as possible. Cuvées like Grand Duc, Noctiluque, and Lucibilis illustrate this quest for balance between freshness, purity, and drinkability, in a contemporary style but deeply rooted in the Loire landscape.

The Wine

Soils: Southeast/Northwest oriented on a schist slope, presence of volcanic rocks

Vinification: All done gently, without harsh operations, very low dose of sulfites after vinification, aged in tank for 7 months

Wine without residual sugars - Sulfites < 60 mg/L

Tasting

With its beautiful golden yellow color, it will charm you with its mineral notes and freshness. A saline touch at the finish that gives it complexity.