1er Confidence 2023 – Domaine Gaël Felix

The pure essence of Sauvignon in Quincy

1er Confidence 2023 is Gaël Felix’s flagship Sauvignon Blanc from the heart of the Loire Valley. This cuvée combines the signature freshness of Quincy Sauvignon with fine minerality, creating an elegant and versatile wine that pairs beautifully with food. Crafted with minimal intervention, it expresses the terroir with precision and balance.

The story of the wine

This cuvée is a tribute to Sauvignon Blanc, the grape that defines Quincy’s identity. The vines, averaging 25 years of age, provide complexity and maturity while maintaining vibrant freshness. The 2023 vintage, marked by balanced climatic conditions, preserved the natural acidity, offering tension, longevity, and a vivid expression of the terroir. Gaël Felix’s philosophy is clear: respect the land and highlight the purity of the fruit.

Vineyard philosophy

The 6 hectares of vines are managed using organic viticulture, emphasizing biodiversity and soil health. Sandy and gravelly soils ensure excellent drainage and give the grapes mineral tension and vibrancy. The mechanical harvest allows picking at optimal ripeness while preserving grape integrity and aromatic quality.

Winemaking and ageing

Grapes are carefully sorted at the press and ferment naturally with indigenous yeasts for 12 days. The wine then ages for 7 months on fine lees, gaining aromatic complexity, body, and roundness while maintaining the classic freshness of Sauvignon. Minimal intervention ensures authenticity and transparency, with little to no fining or filtration.

Tasting notes

• Colour: bright straw yellow with green reflections, clear and vibrant.

• Nose: intense aromas of citrus, grapefruit, passion fruit, delicate floral notes, and subtle herbaceous hints.

• Palate: lively, mineral, with bright acidity and a persistent, harmonious finish; very balanced and versatile.

Food pairings

Perfect with shellfish, crustaceans, and delicate fish dishes. Also pairs wonderfully with white meats, spring risottos, and fresh goat cheeses. Excellent as an aperitif or with Mediterranean cuisine, served slightly chilled to enhance freshness and liveliness.

Technical sheet

• Region: Loire Valley

• Variety: 100% Sauvignon

• Appellation: Quincy AOP

• Vineyard area: 6 ha

• Soil: sand and gravel

• Average vine age: 25 years

• Viticulture: organic

• Harvest: mechanical

• Vinification: sorting at press, 12-day fermentation with indigenous yeasts

• Ageing: 7 months on fine lees

• Production: 9,000 bottles

• SO₂: minimal

• Fining/Filtration: minimal intervention

Domaine Gaël Felix – Quincy, Loire Valley

The history of the Domaine

The Domaine Gaël Felix was born from the personal dream of a young winemaker who, after years of experience in some of the world’s most prestigious wine regions – Rhône, Alsace, and even New Zealand – decided to return to his roots. In January 2022, Gaël finally fulfilled his ambition of founding his own winery in Quincy, in the heart of the Loire Valley. Although young, the domaine has already gained attention thanks to its modern yet deeply traditional approach, producing artisanal wines that express the identity of the land. Gaël’s journey, enriched by international experience, now translates into a unique ability to combine technical precision with natural sensitivity, resulting in wines that are authentic, elegant, and full of character.

Vineyard philosophy

The estate vineyards cover about 6 hectares, divided into a dozen parcels that showcase the complexity and diversity of the local terroir. The majority is planted with Sauvignon Blanc, the flagship grape of the Quincy appellation, while around half a hectare is dedicated to Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Gamay, cultivated under the IGP Coteaux du Cher et de l’Arnon. The soils consist mainly of alluvial sediments, sand, and gravel, elements that give freshness, minerality, and aromatic finesse to the wines. Vineyard management follows environmentally respectful practices: Gaël applies the Guyot Poussard pruning system, which preserves vine longevity and reduces wood diseases, combined with massal selection to maintain genetic diversity. Since 2023, the estate has been on the path to organic certification, while also adopting certain biodynamic principles.

Winemaking approach

Gaël Felix’s philosophy extends seamlessly from the vineyard into the cellar. Here, the guiding principle is minimal intervention, allowing each wine to fully express the personality of Quincy’s terroir. Fermentations take place mainly with indigenous yeasts, chosen to respect the aromatic identity of the grapes and preserve varietal purity. No invasive techniques, such as acidification, are applied, while the use of sulfites is kept to the bare minimum, only enough to ensure stability and proper preservation without compromising authenticity. This approach delivers wines that speak with a clear and genuine voice, balancing minerality, freshness, and aromatic richness. A gentle vinification process, aligned with natural rhythms, underlines Gaël’s intention to craft bottles that truly reflect the vineyard.

Identity and vision

Today, the Domaine Gaël Felix produces about 15,000 bottles per year, divided into four cuvées that embody a synthesis of local roots and a contemporary enological vision. Despite its small size, the winery stands out for artisanal care, technical precision, and a continuous pursuit of quality. Each wine reflects a harmony between tradition and modernity, with a stylistic imprint centered on freshness and drinkability, distinctive traits of the great Sauvignon Blancs of the Loire. The domaine’s philosophy rests on a clear principle: respect for nature and vineyard work, with the goal of producing wines that are natural, sincere, and deeply connected to their terroir. Gaël’s ambition is to gradually establish his reputation as an authentic interpreter of Quincy, contributing to the valorization of this historic appellation with a personal and innovative style.