Vin de France Faia Mai & Kenji Hodgson 2023

Tucked away in the Loire Valley lies a rather remarkable estate, notable for being run by two foreign winemakers who fell in love with this beautiful region, its complexity and its diversity. Mai, of Japanese origin, and Kenji, from Canada, took their first steps in the world of wine in Canada. Their curiosity and open-mindedness led them to the world of natural wines, which intrigued them so much that they decided to fly to France to learn more… and never left. The truth is, they made some really interesting connections there. These included Mark Angéli from the very exclusive Ferme de la Sansonnière, Claude Courtois and Olivier Cousin.
Unsurprisingly, the region struck a chord with them and, in 2010, a year after their arrival, they acquired some old vines of Grolleau, Cabernet Franc and Chenin grown on the Faye d’Anjou. Naturally, the cultivation methods are healthy and synthetic products are banned. Similarly, in the winery, vinification is as natural as possible. So we’re keeping a close eye on this young estate, with its commendable philosophy and pure, flavourful wines.