Domaine Richard Leroy — Chenin without compromise

Based in Rablay-sur-Layon, in Anjou’s schist-rich soils, Richard Leroy is a cult figure in natural wine, crafting dry Chenin Blancs of extreme precision, depth, and vibrancy. A former wine lover turned vigneron in the 1990s, he now farms about 3 hectares organically and by hand, with no chemicals, no shortcuts — and total freedom.

He labels all his wines as Vin de France, having left the appellation system to protect the integrity of his vision.

Philosophy and winemaking

Vineyard work is meticulous and manual, with tiny yields and full maturity targeted through selective hand harvesting. Each cluster is carefully sorted.

In the cellar, Leroy uses wild yeasts, no additives, no fining or filtration, and little or no sulfur. Wines are aged in old barrels for up to 18 months, and nothing is rushed. His goal: to let the soil speak through Chenin — raw, expressive, and alive.

Wine style

Leroy’s Chenins are dry, sharp, and alive — with bracing acidity, saline minerality, and a laser-like structure. Aromas of citrus, ripe apple, wax, flint, and herbs lead into a long, energetic palate with unmistakable tension and soul.

These are not easy wines — they are emotional, uncompromising, and unforgettable. They also age beautifully.

Signature cuvées

Les Noëls de Montbenault – A powerful, mineral-driven Chenin from schist. Intense, tense, and profoundly expressive.

Les Rouliers – A freer, non-vintage cuvée blending parcels and years. More open but equally focused and alive.

A cult icon of natural wine

Richard Leroy is a pioneer, a rebel, and a master of Chenin. His decision to leave the AOC system, his refusal of compromise, and his absolute commitment to purity have made him one of France’s most revered winemakers. His wines are rare — and revolutionary.