The Anjou wine scene has its share of stars?–?Bellivière, Terre de l’Élu, Emmanuel Ogereau?–?and now, a new estate has joined their constellation. After learning the craft in these respected estates, Lionel Hupolox founded Domaine des Grouas in 2022, between Anjou Noir and Anjou Blanc, near Martigné-Briand. With a background in digital consultancy and project management, Lionel had dreamed of creating a wine estate of his own since his twenties. He graduated in viticulture and oenology in Marseille to sharpen his knowledge of the craft. His vision is now a reality, shared with his wife, Pauline Sain Hupolox. Together, they cultivate 13 hectares of organically certified vines, surrounded by a further 6 hectares dedicated to biodiversity. The estate is also in the process of obtaining biodynamic certification, a clear sign of their commitment to living soils and sustainable practices.
Around a third of the estate’s wines are bottled under their own label, while the rest is sold to wine merchants. Each wine is crafted with a plot-by-plot approach, capturing the singular character of its terroir. Even the labels embrace this philosophy, featuring colourful illustrations that spotlight the specific soils and parcels behind each wine.

Les Onglés is an incredible expression of the Loire Valley’s terroir in the Anjou appellation, situated in the heart of the region. This historic appellation, officially recognised in 1936, features complex terrain often marked by schist, sandstone and other ancient rocks associated with the broader geology of Anjou and the Armorican Massif. These generally poor, well-drained soils contribute pronounced minerality, integrity, and strong ageing potential to the wine. It is produced from Chenin Blanc, an iconic grape variety from the region. The harvests are carried out by hand with meticulous sorting on the vine. Spontaneous fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts before the wine is aged on fine lees for several months in old barrels to preserve the purity of the fruit and the tension of the terroir.
The glass shows a pale and bright yellow colour. The nose evokes aromas of fresh pear, verbena, lemon zest, and a hint of smoke. The wine is lively, direct and tense on the palate with a wonderful salinity, leading towards a long finish with a bitterness.