Jean-Pierre Robinot | LES VIGNES DE L'ANGEVIN

Jean-Pierre Robinot is one of the original characters of natural wine. Long before he made wine himself, he opened L'Ange Vin, one of the first natural wine bars in Paris, and co-founded the wine magazine Le Rouge et le Blanc. Along the way he was inspired by Jules Chauvet and Marcel Lapierre.

After more than a decade in Paris he went home to Chahaignes, in the northern Loire, to make wine. His vines spread across the Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir appellations, on red clay, limestone and silex (flint).

His daughter Juliette now works alongside him.

Robinot works mainly with Chenin Blanc and the local red Pineau d'Aunis, plus some Gamay and Cabernet Franc. His wines come in two ranges: L'Ange Vin, from the vines he farms himself, and L'Opéra des Vins, from grapes bought from growers he trusts.

Among the Chenins, Lumière de Silex, L'Iris, Charme and Bistrologie are cult bottles. On the red side, Lumière des Sens and Le Regard show what Pineau d'Aunis can do: pale, peppery and alive. Concerto and Camille are further cuvées we have stocked.

These are rare wines and almost always one bottle per order. Cuvées and vintages change all the time, so check the list below for what we have right now.

Robinot's wines ferment and age in old limestone caves dug into the hillside. He gives every wine all the time it needs: fermentations can run for months, and wines often spend a long time on their lees in old barrels before release.

He plays a lot during ageing, with different styles of oxidation from wine to wine. The wines usually combine bright, sharp acidity with real generosity.

No sulphur goes in, and neither does anything else. That, plus the long ageing, is why his wines can need a little air, and why they reward patience in the glass.

Who is Jean-Pierre Robinot?

A natural wine pioneer who opened the Paris wine bar L'Ange Vin and co-founded the magazine Le Rouge et le Blanc before going home to the Loire to make wine.

Where is Jean-Pierre Robinot based?

In Chahaignes, in the northern Loire Valley, with vines in Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir.

What grapes does Robinot use?

Mainly Chenin Blanc and Pineau d'Aunis, plus some Gamay and Cabernet Franc.

Does Jean-Pierre Robinot add sulphur?

No. His wines are made without added sulphur.

What is the difference between L'Ange Vin and L'Opéra des Vins?

L'Ange Vin wines come from his own vines; L'Opéra des Vins wines are made from grapes he buys from other growers.

Why is Robinot wine one per order?

We get very small allocations, so we limit bottles to give more customers a chance.