Domaine Guy Allion has been in the Allion family for 4 generations, though was only really dedicated to wine production in the late 1960s.

Cedric Allion, son of Guy, now runs the estate. This domaine with its beautiful Touraine-style house made out of tufa produces first class Sauvignon from vines grown on perruche (sandy-clay) soil. The estate is managed according to the Terra Vitis programme, a codified system which posits not only respect for the environment but knowledge of the land, parcel by parcel. This sensitivity to the environment means that natural rather than chemical solutions can be pursued in the vineyard. The grapes are picked at maximum ripeness and immediately transported to the winery to prevent oxidation.

The Loire Valley, stretching over 600 miles along France’s longest river, is one of the country’s most diverse and scenic wine regions. Its cool to moderate climate varies from maritime in the west near Nantes to continental further inland, influencing grape ripening and wine styles. The region’s soils range from limestone, clay, and flint to sand and gravel, contributing to the distinctive minerality and freshness of its wines.

The Loire is renowned for its wide range of grape varieties and wine styles. In the west, near Muscadet, Melon de Bourgogne thrives on granite and schist soils, producing light, dry white wines with bracing acidity and saline notes. Further east in Anjou and Saumur, Chenin Blanc dominates, used for dry, off-dry, sparkling, and lusciously sweet wines with flavours of green apple, quince, honey, and lanolin. In Touraine and Vouvray, Chenin Blanc continues, joined by Sauvignon Blanc, which expresses zesty citrus, gooseberry, and flinty characters in regions like Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé.

The Loire also produces elegant reds from Cabernet Franc, especially in Chinon and Saumur-Champigny, with red berry, herbal, and earthy notes. With its fresh, food-friendly wines, the Loire Valley offers exceptional variety, regional expression, and value for wine lovers worldwide.

Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most celebrated and challenging grape varieties, renowned for producing elegant, complex wines. Believed to have originated in Burgundy, France, over 1,000 years ago, it thrives in cooler climates where its thin skin and early ripening nature are best suited. Viticulturally, Pinot Noir is notoriously difficult to grow: it is susceptible to rot, mildew, and pests, and requires precise canopy management to balance ripening with acidity retention.

Pinot Noir is planted across the globe, with notable expressions found in Burgundy, Champagne, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, California’s Sonoma Coast, New Zealand’s Central Otago, and Germany’s Baden and Pfalz regions. In Champagne, it is a key component of sparkling wines, typically blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. The wine's diverse geographical range means that you might also find it labelled as Red Burgundy, Pinot Nero, Blauburgunder, or Spätburgunder.

The grape produces wines of delicate colour but remarkable aromatic depth. Typical flavour profiles include red fruits such as cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, often layered with floral notes, earthy undertones, and hints of spice or forest floor as the wines mature. Styles range from light and silky to more structured and age-worthy, depending on climate and winemaking choices. Pinot Noir’s ability to express terroir with precision makes it a favourite among wine lovers, despite — or perhaps because of — its demanding nature in the vineyard.