Interview with Angélique from Domaine Leblanc
OnBourges: We can't wait to discover your family success story, tell us!
Angelique Leblanc: Freshly arrived in 1974, my grandparents exploited the grapes to resell them directly to traders. My father took over the family business in 1995 and developed the activity with bottle sales. I have been working with them since 2008 but I officially resumed the activity in January 2020, after studying viticulture/oenology. On the estate live my parents, my husband, my two children and me! We produce around 15 bottles per year. This allows us to be able to welcome visitors without opening hours, even at lunchtime. As long as there are people, there is life!
OnBourges: Do you have several vintages? What are their stories?
Angelique Leblanc: Indeed, apart from our classic white/red/rosé range and since we wanted to diversify, my parents gave me a cuvée of sparkling rosé (rare on the AOC Menetou-Salon) in my name, for my 18th birthday. The tradition continued since we made a sparkling white cuvée in the name of my sister, Anne, for her 18th birthday as well! Next year, it will be the turn of my son, Paul, to have his red cuvée aged in oak barrels.
OnBourges: Your wines are served by many local players, can you name a few?
Angelique Leblanc: I work a lot with the bar truck It's the Occaz, an initiative led by Sébastien Cherrier, who has become a friend! There is also the pajerry in Thaumiers, the hotel-restaurant of the Post Office in Dun-sur-Auron, the shop At the Little Wonders in Aix d'Angillon and soon Chez Isa, the cheese bar in Neuvy-sur-Barangeon.
OnBourges: What are your next projects ?
Angelique Leblanc: We plan to set up a tasting cellar in an area of 180m2, accessible to people with reduced mobility. A project that will come out of the ground in 2021/2022. Obviously, this will be an asset for our group receptions. We would like to do more shows to make ourselves known, to work with more local restaurateurs. For the moment, they are the ones approaching me but afterwards, we would like to expand.
The Open Cellars, the 1st weekend of August, bring a lot of people. This year, we would like to do something different and casually, with "standing bar" barrels, deck chairs, and why not a music group! It's really a special atmosphere… One year ago, the participants even helped us label the bottles! And then to finish, we can't wait to return to the Berry Province village during the Printemps de Bourges 2021!
Useful information :
Domaine Leblanc
Les Gaultiers, 18220 Aubinges
02 48 64 33 17
domain-leblanc-menetou.fr
Direct sale at the cellar. A good Christmas gift idea or to enjoy in your cellar for any good occasion!
