The historic Church of St Nicolas in Brem
THE BEGINNINGS OF VITICULTURE
Monks planted vines across the vast expanse of the natural salt marshes, creating what was known as the ‘Fief’.
During the 17th century, Cardinal Richelieu, Bishop of Luçon and landowner in the region, supported local wine-growing by donating his vineyards to the Church.
FIEFS VENDÉENS
After the Second World War, a handful of enterprising winegrowers enthusiastically revived wine production in Brem-sur-Mer, seeking to restore its legendary reputation
Then, in 1965, the vineyard adopted the name Fiefs Vendéens. It was granted AOC status, signifying recognition of the uniqueness and quality of Vendée wines.
Map of the five fiefdoms of the Vendée:
Brem, Chantonnay, Mareuil, Vix and Pissotte.
LA FAMILLE MICHON
In 1960, Patrice Michon settled in Brem-sur-Mer on a few hectares of vineyards belonging to his father. Twenty-five years later, on the Île d’Olonne, he built a modern winery dedicated to winemaking.
In the 1980s, Patrice was joined by his two sons, Éric and Thierry. Together, they decided to move their winery to Les Clous and acquire new land, recognising the unique potential of the Olonnes terroir. They began with a few hectares of vines and, over the years, expanded their estate by acquiring further plots near Brétignolles-sur-Mer.
Portrait of Patrice Michon
MICHON & FILS
In 2013, Antoine joined the family estate and went into partnership with his father. Keen to gain a broader understanding of the trade, he trained at Briacé, in the heart of the Muscadet region, before setting off for New Zealand.
There, he honed his expertise, exploring new techniques and innovative approaches. He returned with a vision that is both respectful of tradition and forward-looking, breathing new life into the family business.
Portrait of Thierry et Antoine Michon
THE EXPRESSION OF THE GRAPE VARIETIES
The estate produces white, rosé and red wines made from the Pinot Noir, Négrette, Gamay, Chenin, Grolleau Gris and Chardonnay grape varieties.
The entry-level wines are characterised by their fruity and refreshing qualities and are best enjoyed young. The wines suitable for ageing are the most renowned, offering greater complexity and elegance.
Casks, barrels, barriques, truncated cone-shaped vats… In both cellars, there are various containers of different sizes and shapes.
For us, wood symbolises life because it is a material that breathes.
BIODYNAMICS
Maria Thun’s sowing calendar, first published in 1963, is a valuable tool for biodynamic farmers. Updated annually, this calendar enables farming activities to be aligned with the phases of the moon and the positions of the planets, promoting work cycles in harmony with natural rhythms.
The role of biodynamics is to maintain the balance between all these elements.
Biodynamics as a guiding principle – this is what drives us.
Unlike the term ‘organic farming’, the term ‘biodynamic’ is not a protected designation; in other words, it may appear on bottles even if the wine has not been produced using biodynamic methods. To help you make sense of this, there are labels with strict specifications governing biodynamic production.
You will find:
The ‘Demeter’ label
covers the whole of French agriculture
.avif)
Biodyvin is a more specific certification scheme with specific requirements covering both vine cultivation and winemaking.
