The Saumur-Champigny area

Upon their arrival, the monks of the Fontevraud Royal Abbey develop the cultivation of the vine in Saumur and its villages around. When Henri Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, acquired the Throne of England in 1154,the strong demand of the English nobility make  the vineyard grow. This situation lasted until 1214, when the king of France Philippe Auguste confiscated the Anjou to Jean Sans terre.

Troughout the middle age, despite the Hundred Years War, under the influence of dukes of Anjou, especially the King René (1434-1480), the cultivation of vines know a huge expansion.

During the 17th century, Richelieu entrusted the Abbe Breton with the mission of replanting the wine region with Cabernet. He acquiered, in Guyenne, Cabernet Franc seedlings that he replanted around the Abbey.That is why, ever since, that grape variety was called 'Breton'.

That golden age continue until the French Revolution when Vendée's wars strongly damage the vineyard.

In the early 19th century in 'La Topographie de tous les vignobles connus' A. Jullien has ranked Champigny at the top of his Anjou red wines ranking:

'Champigny, near Saumur, produces robust wines with a deep colour, tasty and generous. These are wines for ageing, after four or five years, you can fully enjoy all their specifities and aromas'. In 1925, Doctor Pierre Maisonneuve, wrote in his book 'l'Anjou, ses vignes, ses vins' : 'Thanks to the limestone, Saumur produces great Champigny wines'.

The tradition of Breton staid confidential, only few initiates knew the secret, appreciated by the vine-growers of the country until the arrival of an exceptional man: Father Cristal. He acquired the Château de Parnay, in the heart of the appellation. At his death in 1931, he had brought Champigny's fame beyond our borders.

Thanks to his wine, still authentic, George Clémenceau said:  

'When a country produces such great wines, it's a great country. Indeed, there is no great country without history and great civilisation'.