Le Nadir
Loire, Saumur, France
After years working as a graphic designer and traveling the world — living in Paraguay, Brazil, and Spain — Fabien Perréard was drawn to winemaking by the artisanal natural wine scene of Anjou. He arrived in Saumur in 2018 to apprentice under some of the appellation's finest vignerons, and in 2020 acquired his own vines to establish Le Nadir in the south-Saumurois. Working almost entirely alone on 2 hectares across two distinct terroirs, Fabien produces Chenin Blanc and Grolleau of remarkable purity and low alcohol, fermented spontaneously and aged without any additions in Côme Isambert's tuffeau cave in Saumur.
Winemaking Philosophy
At a Glance
2020
Founded
Region
Loire, Saumur, France
Grapes
Chenin Blanc, Grolleau Noir, Cabernet Franc
Farming
Both parcels are farmed organically, with the Forges vineyard certified organic since 2012 and Brossay in conversion...
Harvest
Harvest is done entirely by hand, with Fabien working almost alone with occasional help from friends..
The Estate
On the map
Le Nadir — Saumur, Loire
View full map →Available Now (2)
L'Amant
2023 · Still · White · 10%
Chenin Blanc
Fabien Perréard founded Le Nadir in 2019 in Saumur, Loire, after working two harvests with Jean-Pierre Chevallier, Matthieu Vallée and Aymeric Hillaire. The estate is small (1.7 hectares of organic-farmed old vines) and the cellar is uncompromisingly low-intervention: native-yeast fermentation, no filtration, little to no added sulphur. L'Amant is a Chenin Blanc bottling, drawn from old vines on Saumur's tuffeau (chalky limestone) substrate. The 10% alcohol on the 2023 release points to a deliberate early pick, an emerging house signature: brisk, lithe, savoury Chenin rather than the orchard-fruit weight of warmer-vintage Loire whites. Useful as a by-the-glass natural Chenin for trade accounts that want freshness over richness.
Native-yeast (indigenous) fermentation. No fining or filtration. Little to no added sulphur. Hand-worked old-vine plots, organically farmed.
Nomade
2022 · Still · Red · 10.5%
Cabernet Franc
Nomade is one of Le Nadir's red bottlings, Cabernet Franc from Fabien Perréard's organic-farmed old vines around Saumur. Perréard founded the estate in 2019 after training with Jean-Pierre Chevallier, Matthieu Vallée and Aymeric Hillaire. The cellar follows the natural template: hand harvest, native-yeast fermentation, no fining, no filtration, little to no added sulphur. Saumur tuffeau (chalky limestone) is what distinguishes Cab Franc grown around the city from the heavier Anjou expressions further west; the limestone pulls the variety toward red fruit, salinity and a chalky tannin profile rather than green pepper or extracted weight. 10.5% alcohol; an unusually light, drink-now register that rewards a chill. A serious natural Cab Franc for trade accounts wanting Loire authenticity.
Hand harvest from organic-farmed old-vine Cabernet Franc. Native-yeast fermentation. No fining, no filtration. Little to no added sulphur.
Previously Available (5)
Plotzlich
2022 · Sparkling · White · 7.5%
Chenin Blanc
White / Sparkling
Le Nadir, 'la dime d'Artémis' (2021)
2021 · Still · White · 11.5%
Chenin
White
Le Nadir, 'la nuit, le silence' (2021)
2021 · Still · Red · 10.7%
Grolleau
Red
Le Nadir, 'novembre' (2020)
2020 · Still · Red · 10.3%
Grolleau
Red
Novembre 2020 3
2020 · Still · Red · 10.3%
Red