Born in 1908 in the Nantes region, when he was young, Donatien Bahuaud used to roam throughout the local vineyards. Between the land and sea, he enjoyed watching barrel-laden boats travelling up the Loire and decided to become a winegrower. In 1929, when he was 21, he founded Maison Donatien Bahuaud and also started to explore the vineyards with his cask wines in a cart.
Day after day, he carefully cultivated the vineyard, but most especially his minacious observation of the region’s terroirs allowed him to elaborate exceptional wines, boasting subtle and refined flavors, thereby taking part in the recognition of Muscadet up until the creation of the AOC in 1936.
A year later, he bought Chateau Cassemichère in La Chapelle-Heulin, where Muscadet first originated back in 1740. It is at the heart of this winegrowing property that Donatien revolutionized the region with his audacity, his energy and his flair for business. Genuine talent spotter, he toured the vineyard looking for the finest appellations in the Loire Valley. This quest led him to elaborate precise wines, revealing the pure authenticity of Loire Valley grape varieties through bold blends and long ageing. As a result, he became a master in the art of wine maturing.
The art of maturing
