Terre de l'Elu

Terre de l’Élu, formerly known as Clos de l’Élu, is a 22-hectare estate in Saint Aubinde Luigné, tucked into the Anjou Noir of the Loire Valley. Since 2008, Charlotte and Thomas Carsin have managed the estate, transforming it with passion, vision, and organic methods. The estate’s vineyards lie on dark, quartz- and schist-rich soils of the Layon valley, benefiting from south-facing slopes and gentle Atlantic influences. Vintage by vintage, Charlotte and Thomas work with six distinct parcels, planting primarily Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc, alongside Gamay, Grolleau, Pineau d’Aunis, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. The vines are up to 80 years old in places, and all fruit is handpicked.

In 2018, they chose to leave the Anjou appellation, rebranding as Terre de l’Élu in order to bottle freely under Vin de France, freeing them from restrictive rules and allowing full creative expression. The terroir is dominated by dark schist soils, which contribute tension, salinity, and a savory edge to both reds and whites. Combined with a cool climate and organic vineyard work, this gives the wines an unmistakable texture and life. Winemaking follows a natural, minimal intervention philosophy: Whites are gently pressed and fermented with indigenous yeasts, often in barrel, tank, or amphora; aging can last over a year (e.g. “Bastinage”) Reds are frequently whole-cluster fermented, aged in wood or amphora, with low sulfur addition before bottling.