Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Vignobles Berthier in Saint Gemme, Sancerre, with Clément Berthier - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

The Loire Tour 2025 by ombiasy WineTours took place from Sunday, October 5 to Thursday, October 16, 2025. The tour started in Nantes and ended in Sancerre, with a bus transfer and lunch in Paris. There were 9 of us including Annette and myself.

 

Following: 

 

Extensive Vineyard Tour (with Geese and Sheep), lead by Vineyard Manager Andreina Pellé, and Extensive Tasting led by Export Manager Pauline Guillot at Domaine Pellé in Morogues, Menetou-Salon - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

 

Lunch (with Escargots de Bourgogne, Burgundy Snails, as Starter) at Restaurant Au Bon Laboreur (Michelin-listed and with a Ferrari SUV in Front of the Restaurant) in Menetou-Râtel - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

 

we went to Vignobles Berthier in Saint Gemme, where we had a vineyard tour, cellar tour and tasting. Clément Berthier, who owns and runs the estate with his brother Florian, was our host.

 

The last time we saw Clément in the Washington DC area, was at a winemaker dinner at Bastille Brasserie in Alexandria (go to the end of this posting).

 

Loire 2025 by ombiasy WineTours led by Annette Schiller 

 

Annette Schiller in her announcement: What comes to your mind when you hear ‘Loire Valley’? Of course images of glorious Châteaux pop up in your mind. Yes that is true and we will visit some iconic château and dig deep into France’s history. However, during this wine tour we also discover a magnificent, but often overlooked French wine region and one of the most exciting best kept secrets of excellent, high quality wines at very reasonable prices. The Loire Valley wine region is a vast area and consists of several distinct wine regions, each with its own characteristic grapes, appellations, and wine style. We take you on a journey from the Atlantic Ocean to the Auvergne mountains to explore this unique region. We learn to appreciate “Sancerre”, "Pouilly-Fumé", “Vouvray", “Chinon”, as well as many other not so familiar appellations. 

Vignobles Berthier in Saint Gemme

This domaine is now in the hands of the fifth generation of the Berthier family, brothers Clément and Florian Berthier. The vineyards stretch across the Loire river, from one side to the other, from Menetou-Salon, Sancerre to the Côteaux du Giennois, Pouilly-Fumé.

The vineyards are planted with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Gamay. They produce whites in the Sancerre and Côteaux du Giennois appellations and a single varietal Pinot Noir and a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay. The domaine is certified organic and also uses biodynamic practices. 

The little known Côteaux du Giennois appellation is a very good choice when it comes to Sauvignon Blanc wines: a very good and less pricey alternative to Sancerre.

Arriving

Cellar

 

Vineyard

 

Tasting

 

 

Bye-bye

 

Loire Winemaker Dinner with Clément Berthier, Sancerre, at Bastille Brasserie in Alexandria, Virginia, USA 

 

See: Loire Winemaker Dinner with Clément Berthier, Sancerre, at Bastille Brasserie in Alexandria, Virginia, USA 

 

schiller-wine: Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours - Already Published Postings   

Invitation: Summer 2025 and Outlook on Wine Travel Fall 2025: Loire Valley Wine Tour (October 5 -16, 2025, led by Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours)  

Summary: Loire 2024 - Châteaux and Wine - by ombiasy WineTours, led by Annette Schiller

Summary of the Loire Valley Tour 2025 by ombiasy WineTours: The Facebook Postings of David Miller

Where in the World are Norm and Susan? On the 2025 Loire Valley Tour by ombiasy WineTours, led by Annette Schiller

Saturday Morning at the Talensac Market, a True Nantes Institution - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Oysters and Muscadet at Taverne Royale in Nantes - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Riding the Grand Elephant of Nantes - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Guided Tour of Old Town Nantes - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Dinner at Iconic Brasserie La Cigale in Nantes - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and tasting at Maison Chéreau Carré, AOP Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, with Bernard Chéreau - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

"Formule du Midi" at Chez Pipette, Auberge Bistronomique, in La Haie-Fouassiere - Loire Valley 2025 bu ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Gadais Père et Fils, in Saint Fiacre-sur-Maine, Muscadet Sévre et Maine, Pays Nantais, with Christoph Gadais - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Dinner at Les Petits Prés in Angers with "Top Chef France" Samuel Albert - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Introduction in the Courtyard, Cellar Tour, Tasting and Bottling at Domaine Loïc Mahé, with Loïc Mahé - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour and Salon Tasting at Château des Vaults, Domaine du Closel in Savennières, Anjou - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Brasserie de la Maine in Bouchemaine - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Visit of Château Angers and the Apocalypse Tapestry (UNESCO) - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

For a Bottle of Natural Wine from the Loire at Wine Bar L’ Angevigne in Angers - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Extensive Vinyard Walk, Short Visit of the Wine Cellar and High-end Tasting in the Wine Cellar at Domaine Belargus in Saint-Lambert du Lattey, Anjou - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Charcuterie and Cheese Lunch with Wine Tasting plus Cellar Tour and Vineyard Tour at Domaine de la Soucherie in Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Anjou - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Touring the Cave, the Winemaking Facilities and the “Clos d’Entre Les Murs” Vineyard, a Special Monument, and Tasting at Château de Parnay in Saumur-Champigny - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

3-course Dinner at Restaurant L’ Alchimiste in Saumur (Michelin Guide Listed), a 2-Person Operation of Chef François Deplange and his Wife - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour of L’ Abbey Royale de Fontevraud in Fontevraud - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Saumur's Fairy-tale Castle Château de Saumur - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting, Tour of the Old Cellar and Vineyard Tour at Clotilde Legrand – Domaine Legrand in Varrains, Anjou, with Clotilde Legrand and her Father René-Noël Legrand - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Tour and Tasting at Maison Bouvet-Ladubay, a Leading Crémant de Loire Producer in Saumur - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

A Bottle of Claire et Florent Bejon Vin de France Rouge "Pain Perdu" at La Tonnelle Wine Bar in Saumur - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Bernard Baudry in Cravant-Les-Coteaux, Touraine - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Domaine Couly-Dutheil in Chinon - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Bar-Restaurant Le Bistrot du Marché of Hotel Le Lion d'Or in the Center of Chinon - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting in the Cellar at Cave M. Plouzeau in Chinon, Touraine, with Owner/ Winemaker Marc Plouzeau - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

3-course Dinner (with a Tablet) at Restaurant L’Écluse (Michelin-listed) in Amboise - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Domaine François Chidaine in Montlouis-sur-Loire - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTour

4-course Lunch at Restaurant Le Favori (1-star Michelin), with Head Sommelier Paul Rybard, in Cheverny - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

 

Visit of Château de Chambord: "An Epitome of what Human Art can Produce" said Charles V. (Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire of German Nations) - Loire Valley 2026 by ombiasy WineTours

 

Guided Visit of Château du Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci lived and died, in Amboise - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

 

With a Large Cheese Cart and Soufflé Flambé au Cognac: 5-course Menu Inspiration - Leisurely Sunday Lunch at Restaurant La Croix Blanche on the Banks of the Loire between Amboise and Blois, with Owner/ Chef Jean-François Beauduin (Bib Gourmand Michelin) - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

 

Visiting Château Royale d’Amboise and the Burial Place of Leonardo da Vinci - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

 

Dinner at the Hotel (Novotel) in Amboise - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

 

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Pichot, Vouvray, Touraine, with Louis Pichot - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

 

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Carême in Vernou-sur-Brenne, AOP Vouvray - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

 

Formule du Jour Lunch with a Vouvray at Restaurant Le Val Joli in Vouvray - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

 

Guided Visit of Château Chenonceau, Residence of Diana de Poitier and of Katharina de Medici, Mistress (the Former) and Wife (the Latter) of King Henry II - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

 

Grilled Meat and Touraine Wine for Dinner at Restaurant Le Parvis in Amboise - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

 

Extensive Vineyard Tour (with Geese and Sheep), lead by Vineyard Manager Andreina Pellé, and Extensive Tasting led by Export Manager Pauline Guillot at Domaine Pellé in Morogues, Menetou-Salon - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

 

Lunch (with Escargots de Bourgogne, Burgundy Snails, as Starter) at Restaurant Au Bon Laboreur (Michelin-listed and with a Ferrari SUV in Front of the Restaurant) in Menetou-Râtel - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours