Clos des Plantes, Whakapiripiri Mai, Loire, France

Olivier Lejuene's path to a life in wine was not a conventional one. No family farm, lycée viticole route for him.

Olivier's first career was in online gaming but after 10 years he'd had his fill, left south east Asia for New Zealand, where he enrolled in the University of Auckland and studied winemaking before going on to an apprenticeship at Felton Road winery, an organic producer on South Island. He returned to his native France and started making wine in the Loire region, focusing on Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc.

The name, Whakapiripiri Mai, is Maori and roughly translates as coming together, and is a nod to the formative time Olivier spent in New Zealand. The wine is a blend of Chenin grapes from two different sites. It is dry with just a touch of honeyed sweetness, beautifully balancing the Chenin apple and citrus acidity. Amazing with young cheeses or with some fish in a creamy sauce. 

Producer - Clos de Plantes
Country - France
Region - Loire
Sub-Region - Anjou
Variety / Blend - Chenin Blanc
Wine Style - White Wine
Farming - Organic / Biodynamic
Vegan