The Métaireau family is a famous name in the western Loire and they were responsible for helping regain respect for the the Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine appellation name. For years this appellation was overcropped, improperly farmed and not given the respect it deserves. This family runs the Estate Domaine du Grand Mouton who owns most of the “Grand Mouton” vineyard site, considered by many to be one of the very best sites of the region. They are focused on farming organically as much as possible in a region where this is very much the exception. Most producers use conventional chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides while using machines to harvest the grapes. The vines used for this wine were planted back in 1937 and are worked entirely by hand and harvested at perfect ripeness. After harvest the wine is fermented in stainless steel then aged for an extended amount of time “Sur Lie,” in neutral oak. This means the wine spent time on the fine lees (dead yeast) which fall to the bottom of the barrel after the wine settles post fermentation. This adds more body and texture to the wines over time. The Cuvée One represents the best of this producer and is only made in great years.