Sylvain Martinez

Sylvain Martinez is a rising talent in Anjou, crafting mineral-driven, expressive wines with remarkable precision. Known for his humility, patience, and dedication, Sylvain gained invaluable experience working at several wineries before collaborating with Olivier Cousin, where he deepened his knowledge of soil health, vine management, and maximizing fruit quality.

Today, Sylvain farms a few small parcels near the southern bank of the Loire River, about half an hour east of Angers. His vineyards include Chenin Blanc, Gamay, Grolleau, and Pineau d’Aunis. The Chenin is planted on classic black Anjou schist, while the Pineau d’Aunis thrives on fine, sandy soils, contributing to the peppery, earthy character of the wines.

Winemaking is deliberately simple and hands-on, carried out in a small, rented winery near his home. Each variety is vinified individually, with two precise, classical sparkling cuvées — Rosabul and Gazouillis — also produced. The reds are aromatic and structured, showing earthen and peppery notes complemented by minerality from the sandy soils and longer macerations. All wines are elevated in barrel, resulting in a refined, resolved structure. The whites are typically bottled roughly a year after harvest, while the reds are released slightly earlier, offering freshness and precision that reflect Sylvain’s terroir-driven approach.