Abel Benmaamar, a great wine lover and customer of Vinograf for many years, crossed over to the other side of the barrier, that is to say to the side of wine production, in 2018.

After a viti-oeno BPREA in Mâcon in 2015-2016 and professional experiences in Beaujolais at the Thillardon estate and in the Loire at Patrick Corbineau, Abel left the Lyon region for that of Saumur in order to look for vines. located on interesting soils. He found his happiness in 2018 by buying part of the vines and the buildings of the Domaine des Roches Sèches.

These are vines aged around thirty years, conducted in certified organic farming since 2010. Composed for three quarters of Chenin, the vineyard of the estate is mainly located on a small hillside bordering the Lys which is a small stream flowing into the Layon 500 meters below. Here, the shale soils are light and shallow with the bedrock less than sixty centimeters deep. The entire estate is cultivated without chemicals, the soils are worked and the harvest is carried out by hand.

As far as vinification is concerned, Abel proceeds in a simple and traditional way. The fermentations are ensured by indigenous yeasts. He uses a vertical hydraulic press to press his Chenins as well as his Cabernets. The juices are aged for 15 months, partly in stainless steel and partly in barrels.