HISTORY OF DOMAINE: For several generations this domaine was the property of the Figeat family, most recently under the supervision of Paul Figeat, the long-time mayor of Pouilly Sur Loire. Marc Deschamps worked with M. Figeat for over a decade, tending the vineyards and making the wine. Upon M. Figeat's untimely death in 1991, Marc Deschamps purchased the domaine from the estate. Since that time he has modernized the equipment and continued to add to the well-placed vineyard holdings.

COMPOSITION OF DOMAINE: The domaine consists of seven hectares of vineyards, all of which are located in the legendary hamlet of Les Loges, hard on the banks of the Loire River. Approximately one-half hectare is planted to an old vines parcel of the Chasselas grape from which Deschamps produces his appellation "Pouilly Sur Loire". The remaining vineyards are planted exclusively to Sauvignon Blanc and are situated in various "lieu-dits" as follows: "Les Champs de Cri", the largest holding of the domaine and perhaps the most respected of all vineyard sites in the appellation of Pouilly Fume [predominantly an old vines planting of 40 years average age], "Les Vignes de Berge", "La Cote", and "Les Griottes". Deschamps now produces three separate cuvees annually: "Cuvee des Porcheronnes" [a blend from several sites], "Les Vignes de Berge" [the most precocious and fruity of the cuvees], and "Les Champs de Cri" [the most elegant and aromatic of the selection; the "cuvee prestige"]. Approximately 3,000 cases of wine are produced annually.

METHOD OF VINIFICATION: Fermentation takes place in stainless steel and cement cuves. Only natural yeasts are used. The wines are left on the lees a considerable time. The malolactic fermentation rarely occurs. The wines are generally racked for the first time in January following the harvest. A light fining and filtration takes place prior to bottling which occurs in June for all wines except the "Les Champs de Cri" which is bottled later (normally between July and September). These wines are classic examples of the appellation: rich, powerful, marked by an undercurrent of minerality and, above all, precise and elegant.