From the creation of the Cave Coopérative to the present day.

Founded in 1931 in the heart of centuries-old vineyards, in the center of a prestigious historical triangle ( Blois , Chambord and Cheverny ), our cooperative emerges like an heir, embodying the link between the grand and prestigious history of the Kings of France and that of viticulture. The timeline of our existence is unveiled through a few key dates, thus revealing our metamorphoses, our adaptations and our creations in response to the tumults of History and the evolution of practices.

 

1519 | A centuries-old vineyard

"The Romorantin grape variety vinified for the Cour-Cheverny AOC alone was introduced by François ^I in 1519. Known for centuries as a region of significant wine production, the phylloxera crisis hit our vineyards very hard at the end of the 19th ^century. century . ( wikipedia source)

The soils of our vineyards are primarily sandy-clayey, sandy-siliceous and clayey-limestone.

 

1931 | Creation of the Mont-Près-Chambord cooperative winery

In 1931, the cooperative winery, initially called the Mont-Près-Chambord Cooperative Winery, was created.

The founders of this company are Gaston Besnard and Léon Sausse, two winegrowers from Mont-Près-Chambord who farmed one hectare of vines.

At that time, the "grape bringers" of the cooperative winery were only winegrowers from the commune of Mont-Près-Chambord.

The total vineyard area was about 350 hectares, with harvests reaching over 20,000 hectoliters in the best years. The winery produced wines from hybrid grape varieties, as well as wines from the legendary Romorantin grape, which was widespread in Mont-Près-Chambord.

 

1949 | Classification in AOVDQS Mont-près-Chambord Cour-Cheverny

1964 | Classification as Simple Origin Designation Côteaux du Blésois

1973 | October 18, report on the wine production of the hills of Blaisois (source INA) and its classification in VDQS (Superior Quality Wine) Cheverny

The Cheverny appellation area is made up of the merger of the old AOVDQS and the simple appellation of origin Côteaux du Blésois .

October 18, 1973 | Report on wine production on the slopes of Blaisois. Tasting the wine from the last harvest: the winegrower would like to have the oenologists' opinion on its quality. In the heart of Blaisois, the grape harvest is carried out in the château's vineyard which developed in the 15th and 16th centuries. This vineyard is undergoing significant changes in its structure and area, which has considerably decreased, in its grape varieties, whose range has been restricted. Winegrowers from the Côteaux du Blaisois have greatly contributed to the region's wine revival. Interview with a specialist on the characteristics of the vines, tall and grassy, ​​the qualities of the terroir, the grape varieties whose flagship is Sauvignon. Mont-Près-Chambord, Cellettes, Chitenay, Cour-Cheverny: small vineyards where winegrowers come together to work towards quality. Interview with a winemaker who talks about his work: “making good wine”. The 1973 harvest was a good harvest. He explains what an “honest wine” is (wine only made from grape juice …), linked to the quality of fermentation. A VDQS (Superior Quality Delimited Wine) was obtained for Cheverny and encompassing the "Côteaux du Blaisois".
Archive images INA: National Audiovisual Institute 

 

1986 | An opening for the Vinerie Montaise

At that time, the tank capacity was 25,000 hectoliters, but the cooperative cellar of Mont-Près-Chambord only produced 2,500 hectoliters of wine.

This low volume, largely represented by Cheverny, was a critical threshold for the cooperative winery's economic stability. To address this situation, the board of directors at the time, under the aegis of President Pierre Mandard, decided to open the cooperative to winegrowers bringing from outside the commune of Mont-Près-Chambord.

1987 | From the Cooperative Winery to the Cooperative Cellar of the Vignerons of Mont-Près-Chambord

This year marks a major turning point in the history of the Montais cooperative: the winery changes its name to Les Vignerons de Mont-Près-Chambord. The first contributors from outside the commune, coming from neighboring villages, made their entry with the 1987 harvest. The first external suppliers from neighboring villages joined with the 1987 harvest. Their arrival enabled the winery to regain sufficient supply volumes to restore economic viability and make necessary investments to modernize its facilitie.

1993 | Creation of 2 AOCs of the vineyard

Cheverny wines and Cour-Cheverny wines became Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) wines, allowing them to develop their reputation as a brand. Their specifications can be viewed by clicking on this link.

THE CHEVERNY AOC:

Classified by the decree of March 26, 1993, the cultivation area of ​​the appellation extends over 532 hectares within 24 communes of the Loir-et-Cher department. White, red and rosé wines respecting the specifications can bear this designation.

THE COUR-CHEVERNY AOC:

2015 | Renovation of the Cellar and new logo

To create a welcoming space, more in line with the cooperative's image and activities, as well as its prime location at the crossroads of major tourist routes, several improvements were made. Firstly, the reception and sales areas were completely redesigned: they are now brighter and focused on large circulation and exhibition volumes. Additionally, the winery has equipped itself with modular spaces allowing for various activities and events, such as reception and meeting rooms. These initiatives aim to offer a more immersive and versatile experience to visitors, while showcasing the cooperative's products and meeting the diverse needs of its visitors.

2016 | The cooperative cellar Les Vignerons de Mont-Près-Chambord in Numbers

• 22 cooperative winegrowers
• 155 hectares of vines in the AOC Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny
• 750,000 bottles sold per year

2019 | Covid crisis and adaptation

The Covid crisis is an opportunity for its winegrowers to take a new step and offer their wines for sale online!

 

2020 | New logo for the appellation

The appellation logo has been revisited to reflect a more elegant and natural image, abandoning the bright and dynamic orange as well as the silhouette of Cheverny castle. The new colors chosen are cream and brown, adding a touch of elegance and sobriety. The typography has also been revised to match this new aesthetic, resulting in a more refined and natural logo.

 

A website created by the Union of Winegrowers of the AOCs of Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny is dedicated to the appellation. You will find all the information and key figures about our AOCs there. : https://www.vins-cheverny.com/

 

2024 | Revamping of the communication supports of La Cave Coopérative des Vignerons de Mont-Près-Chambord

 

New website, new logo… the adventure continues!