HISTORY

The remains of an old press discovered in Cheillé near Azay-le-Rideau is a testament to the cultivation of vines in Touraine as early as the 2nd century. Under the influence of the Church, between the 8th and 12th centuries, viticulture flourished. The presence of the Royal Court in the Loire Valley in the 16th century(Château de Chambord, Château de Blois) contributed to the considerable development of the production of quality wines, as well as to the reputation of certain “crus”. Natural routes of transportation, the Loire and the Cher spontaneously encouraged trade, development, and export of the productions from the geographical area. In the 18th century, the vineyard begins to develop in the lower Cher valley around the towns of Bléré, Thésée, Montrichard and Chenonceaux.

After the phylloxera crisis, as of 1905, the Touraine vineyard was reconstituted with a grape variety, notably from grafted grapes such as Sauvignon blanc and Gamay grapes. The winemakers then realize that the aromas of this wine are much superior to those from other grape varieties. Its commercialization grows considerably. The geographical area is gradually built, integrating wine sectors of good quality potential and, before the beginning of the Second World War in 1939, the appellation “Coteaux de Touraine” was recognized. In 1953, the name “Touraine” was officially adopted. Paradoxically, it is thanks to phylloxera that the vine has developed in the Oisly sector. The need to rebuild the vineyard appeared in 1896. Originally a producer of table wines, the Oisly sector owes its strong conversion to AOC Touraine grape varieties to a dynamic group of winemakers. The creation of the cooperative winery in Oisly and Thésée in 1961 also helped to accentuate this trend.
It was in the vicinity of Oisly that Sauvignon blanc began to take on some importance in Sologne Viticole (25ha in total in the area in 1958, including more than 6 in Choussy and Oisly). The Sauvignon blanc wine of this region distinguished itself in various competitions since the 1970s, and as of this time acquired a regional notoriety

The match between the very particular terroir of the Oisly sector with Sauvignon is the result of a happy historical coincidence as to the quality of the wines produced.
The current vines of the Sologne Viticole show a very clear predominance of Sauvignon.
Aware of the potential of their territory and their varietals, as early as 1985, the producers of Sologne Viticole reserve the Sauvignon blanc grape variety for their best parcels. Generations follow one another, and as part of a “quality approach”, the winemakers of AOC Touraine undertake a terroir study. The aim is the qualitative recognition of the singular link between this terroir and Sauvignon blanc.
This study collected data on the environment, its characteristics, soil, and plant behavior (yield and control). All producers were mobilized and were able to participate in this terroir approach, revealing the true personality of the Oisly terroir. The recognition process for the Appellation Touraine Oisly has been an endeavor over the years. 2011 is the first vintage for the production of Touraine Oisly.