Franz Saumon is not from winemaking stock. Indeed, he enjoyed a successful career in forestry management in Canada before returning home in the mid-90's to set up his estate at Huisseau in the Montlouis region of the Loire between Tours and Orleans.
He initially began with 3 hectares of vines but with subsequent acquisitions, his domaine now stands at 6 hectares: 5.5ha of Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc and ½ ha, red grape varieties. The vineyards are situated mainly at the foot of the famed Huisseau Plateau where all the best local names are located but Frantz also has holdings in Chapitre and Lussault-sur-Loire.
Vin de Frantz Chenin is from vines averaging 40-50 years old. Hand-harvested in crates. The wine is direct press, with ¾ vinified in barrel and the remainder in concrete vats. The wine shows a distinct saline-mineral characteristic of chenin from this region. Round, opulent citrus fruit; lemon, tangerine and finishing with thrilling acidity.
