François Cotat

François Cotat

The history of the François Cotat estate

The history of the François Cotat estate is closely linked to that of the Cotat family and the village of Chavignol, in the heart of the Sancerre appellation, in the Loire Valley. The family has been cultivating vines there for several generations, and as early as the 1940s, Paul and Francis Cotat worked together before their descendants each continued their own estate. François Cotat, son of Paul, began his apprenticeship with his father in the late 1970s and signed his first cuvées under his name before officially taking over the family vineyards in 1998. Since then, he has established himself as one of the most distinctive and sought-after figures in Sancerre, advocating a deeply traditional vision of wine and an unadulterated expression of the great terroirs of Chavignol.

An exceptional terroir and traditional winemaking

The Domaine François Cotat has a confidential vineyard of about four hectares, spread over some of the most renowned hills of Chavignol, notably Les Monts Damnés, La Grande Côte, Le Cul de Beaujeu, and Les Caillottes. These steep plots, often difficult to work, rest mainly on clay-limestone soils and marls rich in fossils, whose nuances shape wines of remarkable depth. The estate favors manual harvesting, fermentation using indigenous yeasts, and a low-intervention approach in the cellar, with notably few rackings and no filtration. Late harvests allow for perfectly ripe grapes, giving rise to rich, broad, and powerful white Sancerre, always supported by a mineral tension and a freshness that provide exceptional aging potential.

François Cotat today

Today, François Cotat is considered one of the great names of Sancerre and a unique winemaker in the Loire landscape. His cuvées, produced in limited quantities, are sought after by enthusiasts for their unique personality, intensity, and ability to evolve over several decades in the bottle. Iconic terroirs like Les Monts Damnés, La Grande Côte, and Le Cul de Beaujeu give rise to wines that transcend the usual codes of Sauvignon Blanc: ripe, deep, and textured, they combine richness, minerality, and energy. True to an artisanal philosophy and traditional winemaking methods, the estate continues to bring to life a deeply personal interpretation of the Chavignol terroir, making François Cotat Sancerre an essential reference for lovers of great white wines from the Loire.