François Cotat
François Cotat
The Cotat family has been making wine since the 1940s in the renowned village of Chavignol, situated within the Sancerre appellation of the Loire Valley.
Initially, the domaine was jointly managed by brothers Paul and Francis Cotat, who produced wine together but bottled under separate labels. In the 1990s, the next generation, cousins François and Pascal Cotat, took over the family legacy, dividing the vineyards and continuing the tradition in separate cellars.
François now crafts some of the Loire Valley's most celebrated and distinctive Sancerres, characterized by their profound depth, minerality, and capacity to age for decades.
In 1991, Vincent Gaudry joined his father at the family estate, then named Domaine Georges Gaudry. Two years later, he took over the estate and transitioned to organic farming. The 11 hectares (90% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Pinot Noir) have been organically certified since 1995 and received biodynamic certification in 2002.
While being one of the pioneers of biodynamic farming in Sancerre, Vincent Gaudry has never really made it into the spotlight and remains one of the best-kept secrets of the appellation. Yet, within the circle of great producers such as Richard Leroy, Anne Vatan, and Nady Foucault, he is regarded as Sancerre’s finest vigneron. Admired for his talent in viticulture, Anne Vatan hired him to manage her vineyards at Clos Neore.
François Cotat employs sustainable and organic farming practices, though the estate is not formally certified. His approach emphasizes minimal intervention and harmony with nature. The vineyards, located on the prized “terres blanches” soils of Chavignol, feature steep slopes that demand all work be done by hand.
François focuses on extremely low yields, allowing the vines to concentrate their energy on producing high-quality fruit. The estate's late harvesting philosophy ensures optimal ripeness, which is essential to crafting wines of exceptional texture and complexity. François also follows biodynamic principles, including lunar cycles for vineyard tasks like racking.
François Cotat adheres to classic, non-interventionist winemaking techniques passed down through generations. Using only indigenous yeasts for fermentation, he ferments and ages his wines in old demi-muids and larger foudres, some of which are over 100 years old.
The wines are unfined and unfiltered, preserving their purity and authenticity. François pushes the boundaries of ripeness and residual sugar, resulting in rich, full-bodied wines that often transcend traditional Sancerre profiles. His wines are crafted with patience, intended to be cellared for decades to reveal their full complexity and balance between fruit, minerality, and bracing acidity.
REGION OF PRODUCTION
Centre-Val de Loire
APPELLATION
Sancerre
FOUNDED
1940s
VINEYARD
3 ha
CLIMATE
Continental
SOIL COMPOSITION
Primarily "Terres Blanches"
VARIETIES GROWN
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir
AGRICULTURE
Organic, not certified