In 2004 Marc Houtin created the Grange Aux Belles and moved to Anjou. He gave up his career in oil and took "the leap". Passionate about wine and winegrowers, he obtained his national diploma in oenology in Toulouse after several internships, notably at the Château d'Iquem. He then bought a 12-hectare vineyard located mainly on the Aubance hill.
Marc met Julien Bresteau in 2004 as an apprentice at the Domaine de Montgilet. A special energy is created between them. Julien has studied wine since he was 15 and spends his time traveling to various wine regions. Like from time to time to prune and harvest together with Marc to help him. They become friends. The Domaine LA GRANGE AUX BELLES quickly took shape which acquired it as third associate Gerald Peau in 2008.
A small cellar is built closer to the vines, a lot of tools are bought. All the mechanical maintenance of the vineyard is done by the two friends who rush headlong into the conversion to organic. This step is for them the only way to make good wine. Along the way, links are made with many new organic Loire winegrowers, many exchanges. A visit to Clos Tue Boeuf will change their idea of wine!
At Domaine Grange Aux Belles the subsoil is entirely schist, more or less deep depending on the plots, the surface is often clayey in certain corners. In general, water stress is very important. It has an oceanic climate protected by the Beaulieu forest, an enclave which generally suffers from this pocket of precipitation. .
All the grapes are harvested by hand, rigorously selected without gray or noble rot. The grapes are transported to the cellar in 20 kg boxes so as not to crush them. Marc and Julien use indigenous yeasts from their own vineyards, without adding sugar. All whites are fermented in selected barrels with the utmost attention of mainly ADOUR e STOCKINGER
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