06/17/2026
La Grange Tiphaine ‘Les Epinays’ Chenin Blanc Montlouis Loire, FR 2023
La Grange Tiphaine is a family owned estate located in the small Loire Valley town of Ambroise. Damien took over the estate in 2009 when his father, Jackie, fell ill. Then just 22 years old, Damien’s vision was to transition the estate to organic viticulture. The family believes that Jackie’s untimely death was due to exposure of harmful chemicals in the vineyard, and fully supported this new approach. Since his father’s passing, he and his wife Coraline have worked the estate together and have become some of the most well-respected vignerons in the region.
In the last 10 years, Damien has taken on a larger role within his winemaking community. In 2016, he became the head of their AOC, Montlouis. An AOC is an organization that aims to protect the reputation of the region by fostering styles of production that represent it. An AOC label is a guarantee for a consumer that they are buying a wine made in a familiar style. Damien also somehow finds time to teach at the local wine growing school to help raise the next generation of vignerons.
‘Les Epinays’ is 100% Chenin Blanc that comes from a very old vine parcel in Montlouis. It is fermented in barrels and finishes aging in concrete tanks before it is bottled. This Chenin Blanc has a gossamer texture and tastes of pear, apple, dried chamomile and limestone. It’s perfect with anything flavorful and spicy. $16/glass tonight….until it’s gone.
