Terres d’Imaginaire, a 11.7-hectare estate located in Rochefort-sur-Loire in the Loire Valley, was founded in 2022 by Mathilde Magne, an experienced agronomist and oenologist, along with her husband Nicolas Lair. Mathilde and Nicolas aim to produce wines that are both expressive and sustainable, aligning with their vision of merging the tangible aspects of the earth with the creative possibilities of winemaking. This vision is encapsulated in the name “Terres d’Imaginaire,” symbolizing the balance between the physical land and the imaginative potential in crafting unique wines.
Mathilde Magne brings nearly a decade of experience in the viticulture and enology sectors, having worked at prestigious estates such as Lilian Ladouys, Château Figeac, and Stefano Amerighi in Tuscany. Following her studies, she further refined her expertise by working for three years with Sylvain Pataille in Marsannay.
The estate is currently in the process of converting to organic certification. The viticulture includes natural grass cover crops, mechanical soil work, and the use of green manure treatments to enhance soil microbiology. Some plots are worked by horse, a nod to traditional, low-impact farming methods.
The diversity of the vineyard’s soil types—ranging from schist and sandstone to puddingstone—alongside various exposures and textures (sandy loams, clay sands, and clays) supports a wide range of grape varieties, including Chenin Blanc, Pineau d’Aunis, Sauvignon Blanc, Grolleau Gris, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc. This diversity not only contributes to the complexity of their wines but also ensures the resilience of the vineyard ecosystem.
At Terres d’Imaginaire, winemaking is a process of minimal intervention. Grapes are hand-harvested and subjected to ambient yeast fermentation, ensuring that the wines truly reflect their origin. The use of 228-600L barrels (with up to 50% new oak) and steel tanks for aging allows for a controlled and nuanced development of the wines. Full malolactic fermentation is standard, with minimal sulfur added only when necessary at racking and before bottling.
