Plou & Fils, a tradition since 1508!

A tourist cellar on the banks of the Loire

When they come to Touraine, wine lovers regularly plan to visit the cellars of Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Chinon and Vouvray. But there are other lesser-known wine-growing areas that are full of surprises. Such is the case of the Amboise vineyard, whose wines delighted the palate of King Louis XI: in 1463, he ordered it to be sold at the Tours market before any other wine!

Cave Plou et Fils à Chargé Dégustation — ©Cave Plou et Fils à Chargé|ADT Touraine - JC Coutand

©Cave Plou et Fils à Chargé|ADT Touraine - JC Coutand

A great wine estate

A handful of centuries later, the vine is still present around Amboise. But it’s not immediately obvious: to discover it, climb the hills. At the Plou et Fils estate, to the left of the winery, you’ll find a small path that winds through the trees before leading to the vineyard (wine pun… 😉 ). Over the generations, this has expanded to 75 hectares. A vast playground over which Mathieu and Guillaume Plou keep a watchful eye.

This family heritage is accompanied by the experience of those who came before them: vintage after vintage, the match between soils, grape varieties, and growing methods, has been refined. Côt, Gamay, Cabernet Franc, Chenin, Sauvignon and Chardonnay produce a wide variety of cuvées. Don’t miss the chance to taste them, after a pleasant walk through the vines punctuated by several panels revealing the different facets of the winegrower’s trade.

A walk in the heart of the vineyards

Enterested in discovering the vineyards in a different way? Take advantage of a free, signposted route for a 1? hour walk through the vineyards. Admire the beauty of the winegrowing landscapes and immerse yourself in the history and know-how of these winegrowers.

Highlights

A wine heritage dating back to 1508

Plou et Fils passionately perpetuates a family tradition

A wide range of wines

Red, white, rosé and fine bubbles, offering a unique range of flavours

An excellent wine tourism experience

A warm welcome, a tour of the vineyards and a visit to a beautiful troglodytic cellar.

Wine tasting at the Plou et Fils winery

In the Loire Valley, around 350 estates are involved in the “Caves touristiques” initiative, including around a hundred in Touraine. The aim of the scheme is to offer visitors a high-quality welcome; in addition to a set of specifications, an independent firm regularly carries out audits based on around sixty criteria. Nothing to scare Mathieu and Guillaume: Domaine Plou & Fils was recently awarded the “Accueil d’excellence”!

Go to the large counter that welcomes many visitors at once. Opt for the fine bubbles (a crémant de Loire made from chardonnay, a 100% chenin natural sparkling wine…). A little further on, glasses are tinged a candy pink colour: the sweetness of the Milady demi-sec rosé will delight your taste buds.

For reds, the Touraine Amboise appellation is awarded to wines made from 100% Côt grapes, also known as malbec. Taste them alongside wines from the AOP Touraine, in 100% Gamay, 100% Cabernet, or as a blend for the François 1er cuvée. The same goes for whites (dry, semi-dry or sweet): only the 100% Chenin benefit from the AOP Touraine Amboise. To make your nostrils quiver with the aromatic notes of Sauvignon, dip your nose into a glass of La croix du pin cuvée (Touraine PDO). And don’t think that children have been forgotten. There’s a sparkling grape juice especially for them!

What next?

To visit the cellar, all you have to do is ask! Allow around 15 minutes to explore this troglodytic space, a hallmark of the Loire Valley vineyards: an enriching visit, and even refreshing during the summer!