After the French Revolution, our family re-gained a hectare of vines, located on the banks of the river Cher. Since then each generation has increased the size and quality of the property.

The Simoneau wine-growing enterprise, in the Val de Loire on the hills above the River Cher, 5 km from the renowned Chateau of Chenonceau, has been a family business since 1790, just after
the French Revolution, being passed down through the generation, usually from daughter to son-in-law, and has been growing in importance ever since.

Monsieur André Foissier (Mrs Annie Simoneau father) took over the management of 18 hectares (44.5 acres) of vines and 9 hectares of Cereals at the age of 14, when his father was called up for service at the beginning of the Second World War. Antoine Simoneau, (Mr. Foissier son in law) the present proprietor, took up responsibility for the business in 1977. At that time the wine was made available exclusively through an agent, the advantage being a guaranteed market for the whole production of each year.

In 1991 , in response to the decision to change the focus of the estate to retail sales rather than wholesale, Madame Annie Simoneau joined her husband in the business. Her responsibility was to manage the retail side, a change of direction. To achieve this new vision it was necessary to create a ‘public face’ for the Vineyard. Guided tours of the ‘cave’ and explanation of the wine-producing process in French and English are also available free of charge to interested customers. In this way the producer and the customer establish a mutually productive direct relationship.

This new ‘direct’ focus has paid off, and at the present time 75% of the production is sold to private customers, and 25% is exported since three years ago. The business has expanded, and the exploitable area in 2010 covers no less than 59 hectares. Today Sebastien Paris and Carine Simoneau continue to ensure the business .

The story continues.