Levin Wines, Loire Valley

Levin Wines was established over 20 years ago, when David Levin realised his concept of producing Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc, making use of highly modern, ‘new world’ winemaking and vineyard management practices.  This was most obviously expressed in his purchase of a fully functional winery facility in South Australia, which was dismantled, shipped and reengineered in the Loire.  The quintessential Aussie tin shed winery naturally raised a few French eyebrows. 

The original purchase of land was carefully managed by David, selecting the very best terrain for growing vines. In Bourré, the tuffeau soil is a harmonious blend of loose and flinty clay. The soils in Choussy and Oisly are of sandy topsoil sitting on top of a thick layer of excellent smectite clay.  The vineyards are farmed organically and, in 2005, Levin started to use biodynamic pulverizations to stimulate the microbiological life into the soils and improve the vines’ natural immunity system.

Levin Wines have been internationally recognised over several vintages, including International Wine & Spirit Competition 2008 (Bronze Medal), Concours des Vins du Val de Loire (Silver Medal), Steven Spurrier (Decanter), Jancis Robinson, Jeremy Oliver (Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine), Tim Atkin (The Observer UK), Jeni Port (The Age Epicure), Tim White (Australian Financial Review) Rebecca Gibb (Harpers UK).  For the newly released, current vintage, the Sauvignon Blanc 2007 has achieved:  Sommelier Wine Awards Shortlist, a Bronze Medal at the Decanter Wine Awards, a Gold Medal at the Concours des Vins des Vignerons Independant and selection in Le Guide Hatchett des Vins 2009 (France’s leading wine guide).  The Rosé 2007 was awarded a Gold Medal at the Concours des Vins des Vignerons Independent, Loire-et-Cher.