{"title":"La Ferme de La Sansonnière","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0825\/9728\/2020\/files\/sansonniere_banner_09_700x735_6f56c7bd-295e-4773-8e9b-ff5b0337e52e.jpg?v=1784192495\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMark Angéli, alongside his close ally Nicolas Joly, has been a leading figure in the natural wine movement. He farms 7 hectares of vineyards and 4 hectares of fruit and vegetables in Anjou, in the Loire Valley. Rather than calling his estate a “domaine,” he refers to it as “La Ferme” (the farm), and describes himself as a “paysan” (peasant).\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIn pursuit of self-sufficiency, he keeps a small herd of cows for compost, meat, and milk (for cheese), as well as hens for eggs and meat, and bees for honey.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe land is cultivated according to biodynamic principles, and the farm is conceived as a self-contained ecosystem—almost like a small planet—where livestock and diverse crops coexist to create a balanced and sustainable environment, resulting in healthy produce and wines.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIn the cellar, Angéli also works in a natural manner. He uses sulfur of volcanic origin rather than petrochemical-derived sulfur, which is commonly used in conventional winemaking. Together with like-minded producers, he has succeeded in reducing sulfur usage to less than half of typical levels.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHe and his peers believe that producers should disclose detailed information about ingredients and interventions (such as SO₂, sucrose, sorbic acid, and cultured yeasts), as well as any organic certification. In line with this philosophy, La Ferme de la Sansonnière provides this information on its labels as a commitment to transparency.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLike many quality-focused natural wine producers in the Loire Valley, Mark Angéli was not originally from the region (he is from Provence). After many twists and turns, he arrived at La Sansonnière in 1989, almost by chance—one factor being the relatively affordable vineyard prices in the area, among the lowest in France.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAt the time, very few producers in the region were focused on quality. Since the 1960s, most had prioritized volume, relying heavily on machinery, fertilizers, and agricultural chemicals.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA pivotal encounter with Nicolas Joly helped point Angéli in a new direction, leading him to adopt biodynamic farming. In 2017, he cultivates 4 hectares of Chenin Blanc, 2 hectares of Grolleau Gris, and 1 hectare of Grolleau Noir. He has ceased working with Cabernet Sauvignon, while Cabernet Franc is maintained only for grafting purposes. Biodynamic practices combined with extremely low yields bring remarkable concentration and purity to the wines. (After the transition to Martial’s generation, the estate reduced its plantings of Grolleau and shifted its focus more toward Chenin Blanc.)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLa Lune is made from Chenin Blanc and serves as the domaine’s standard cuvée, aged for one year in barrel. There is also an “Amphores” version, aged for one year in buried amphorae (2015-2019). Another Chenin Blanc cuvée, Les Fouchardes (a monopole), comes from vines planted in 1970 and is aged for two years in barrel before bottling. The top cuvée, Vieilles Vignes des Blanderies, is likewise aged for two years in barrel, from vines planted in 1949. Rosé d’un Jour is made from Grolleau Gris. All the wines retain some residual sugar and are therefore slightly richer than typical dry wines.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMark Angéli previously released his wines under AOC classifications such as Bonnezeaux and Anjou. However, he chose to declassify all of his wines to Vin de France in protest against the INAO (Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité), which he believes has failed to adequately restrict pesticide use and to lower permitted yield limits.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSince the 1960s, there has been a marked decline in quality in the region. Much of this is attributed to regulatory decisions that favored high-yielding clones and rootstocks, as well as the widespread promotion of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Nicolas Joly and Mark Angéli have long resisted this trend and have worked to promote more sustainable and quality-driven practices.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTheir influence has spread globally, and the number of natural wine producers following their philosophy continues to grow each year. At the same time, demand—driven increasingly by consumers—has risen sharply, often outpacing supply.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eArtisan growers like Mark Angéli typically farm small holdings of less than 10 hectares, with most of the work carried out by family members or a small team. Their focus is on quality rather than volume, so production remains inherently limited.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAngéli believes that the only long-term solution is to increase the number of producers who share the same philosophy. For this reason, he and other like-minded growers actively support and encourage newcomers to establish themselves in the region and begin winemaking from the ground up.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDespite the strong demand for high-quality natural wines in recent years, Mark Angéli and his peers strive to keep their prices at levels that allow them to make a decent living without becoming excessively profit-driven.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThey are, above all, wine drinkers themselves, and they want to enjoy the wines they produce at prices that remain accessible. For them, this way of life is cultural as much as agricultural—it is not about maximizing profit, but about sustaining a meaningful and satisfying livelihood.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"a645-la-ferme-de-la-sansonniere-vdf-la-lune-2019-750ml","title":"A645 LA FERME DE LA SANSONNIERE VdF LA LUNE 2019 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003eLa Lune 2019 is made from 35(ave.) years old vines Chenin Blanc with extremely low yields(24hl\/ha), from several parcels. Fermented in barrels and one year ageing in barrels. 2019 has residual sugar as usual. La Lune Amphores was released one year later than barrel version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the moment of release, there was a clear distinction between the barrel-aged version and the amphora-aged version. The barrel-aged cuvée felt like biting into perfectly ripe fruit—so much so that it seemed almost like something other than wine. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter more than five years of aging, this exceptional liquid has gained suppleness and nuance, now possessing a distinctive character and a kind of beauty that is difficult to put into words.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0825\/9728\/2020\/files\/sansonniere_image_01_490x735_369271ed-87cb-4adf-926b-402689c366c1.jpg?v=1784190558\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vin et Saké Nature","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49419978440932,"sku":"F03VF0009ABJ2019","price":580.0,"currency_code":"HKD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0825\/9728\/2020\/files\/sansonniere_la_lune_2019_01_735x735_26e970f8-260b-4548-9f9a-aa742d5b475a.jpg?v=1784190474"},{"product_id":"a647-la-ferme-de-la-sansonniere-vdf-la-lune-amphores-2019-750ml","title":"A647 LA FERME DE LA SANSONNIERE VdF LA LUNE AMPHORES 2019 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003eLa Lune 2019 is made from 35(ave.) years old vines Chenin Blanc with extremely low yields(24hl\/ha), from several parcels. Fermented in barrels and one year ageing in barrels. 2019 has residual sugar as usual. La Lune Amphores was released one year later than barrel version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the moment of release, there was a clear distinction between the barrel-aged version and the amphora-aged version. The amphora-aged version initially gave a somewhat closed impression—there was a palpable sense of warm energy just beneath the surface, yet it remained frustratingly out of reach. After five years of aging, however, it has finally broken through its shell and begun to radiate.　The difference from the barrel-aged version lies in the shape of the energy: the overall intensity is the same, but its expression takes a different form. Even so, this purity of fruit is unmistakably characteristic of Mark Angéli.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a more practical note, La Lune and Rosé d’un Jour pair exceptionally well with dim sum in Hong Kong. Dim sum often features crustacean and pork, and can be surprisingly rich and oily—qualities that these wines complement beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0825\/9728\/2020\/files\/sansonniere_image_01_490x735_369271ed-87cb-4adf-926b-402689c366c1.jpg?v=1784190558\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vin et Saké Nature","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49420935200996,"sku":"F03VF0009BBJ2019","price":580.0,"currency_code":"HKD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0825\/9728\/2020\/files\/sansonniere_la_lune_amphores_2019_01_735x735_1d04cd4c-ed0e-4195-a503-8d89f72f314b.jpg?v=1784197484"},{"product_id":"b507-la-ferme-de-la-sansonniere-vdf-la-lune-2023-750ml","title":"B507 LA FERME DE LA SANSONNIERE VdF LA LUNE 2023 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt is made by blending Chenin Blanc primarily from crescent-shaped vineyards (from which the name La Lune is derived) with Chenin Blanc from other plots. It is the standard cuvée of La Ferme de la Sansonnière. Although it has been withdrawn from the AOC, it is regarded as an exceptional wine that embodies the unique character of the Anjou region. La Lune can be enjoyed immediately after release, but like the other cuvées, it has the ability to age for several decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a more practical note, La Lune and Rosé d’un Jour pair exceptionally well with dim sum in Hong Kong. Dim sum often features crustacean and pork, and can be surprisingly rich and oily—qualities that these wines complement beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0825\/9728\/2020\/files\/sansonniere_banner_21_490x735_8379a660-a35f-4876-852d-5705a5b77241.jpg?v=1784197744\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vin et Saké Nature","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49421439271140,"sku":"F03VF0009ABJ2023","price":380.0,"currency_code":"HKD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0825\/9728\/2020\/files\/sansonniere_la_lune_2023_01_735x735_34bd8349-9916-4fca-9b15-60631f4aa790.jpg?v=1784197790"},{"product_id":"a994-la-ferme-de-la-sansonniere-vdf-les-fouchardes-monopole-2019-750ml","title":"A994 LA FERME DE LA SANSONNIERE VdF LES FOUCHARDES MONOPOLE 2019 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003eLes Fouchardes Monopole is made from Chenin Blanc planted in 1970. Grown on schist-based soils with top layers of clay and sand, it displays a powerful structure and exceptionally refined minerality. These qualities are further enhanced by biodynamic cultivation and the use of perfectly ripe grapes harvested at extremely low yields.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe yield in 2019 was just 21 hl\/ha, as low as ever, resulting in only 2,439 bottles and a small number of magnums. The wine is aged for two years in barrel before bottling. The 2019 vintage was produced in a Sec style, making it drier than usual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0825\/9728\/2020\/files\/sansonniere_banner_17_490x735_d782be48-da5c-47f0-9b0b-b5eb4600510c.jpg?v=1784199589\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vin et Saké Nature","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49421535543524,"sku":"F03VF0009CBJ2019","price":980.0,"currency_code":"HKD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0825\/9728\/2020\/files\/sansonniere_fouchardes_2019_01_735x735_8451b762-9702-48d0-9bfc-f60e6aa11ded.jpg?v=1784198430"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0825\/9728\/2020\/collections\/sansonniere_banner_09_700x735_6f56c7bd-295e-4773-8e9b-ff5b0337e52e.jpg?v=1784193374","url":"https:\/\/vinetsakenature.com\/collections\/la-ferme-de-la-sansonniere.oembed","provider":"Vin et Saké Nature","version":"1.0","type":"link"}