Domaine Moly

Domaine Moly is located in Distré, five kilometres south of Saumur. Etienne Moly’s dream was to become a vigneron – he just needed the right place and vines. It was his acquaintance with Romain Guiberteau (of Domaine Guiberteau in Saumur) that pushed him, finally, in 2020 to settle in Distré with his family.

Etienne worked under Romain for a couple of years to learn all there is to know about Saumur’s terroir before officially launching his own project. Etienne’s wife, Aurelia, is also very involved in the project. They bought their first two and a half hectares in 2021, which soon became four hectares—two-thirds owned outright and one-third in fermage (tenanted).

With vines in some of the best Saumurois land, including Brézé, Etienne has four cuvées under his belt. His entry-level red Saumur is La Nomade, and his Saumur-Champigny labels are Les Sybarites and Alter Sybarites. Alter Sybarite undergoes 12 extra months of ageing compared to the straight Sybarites. All fermentations are with natural yeast, and wines are aged in large 400-litre barrels. There is very little to no new wood to retain fruit freshness and expression.

These are wines of great purity and fruit precision, making for a perfect Saumur representation. Etienne also produces a stunning Saumur Blanc, Le Bruit, which currently includes his Brézé plantings before they are to become their own cuvée.