"Exporting is not just about selling, it's about understanding, adapting, and holding on when everything seems lost."

The Domaine is located in Maimbray, in the commune of Sury-en-Vaux, in the Sancerre appellation. It has existed for 3 generations. A family operation since 1930, it has gradually grown from 2 hectares of vines with cultivation and livestock to 9.10 hectares of vines today. Initially owned by the Vattan family, it was created by Roger and his wife Andrée, then passed on to their son Michel, and taken over in 2008 by Nathalie and Pascal Joulin, who had been working on the Domaine since 2002.

Leaving everything for a vineyard... and a dream.

"Nothing predestined us for this. My father had been an employee on the farm since 2002, and one day, Michel Vattan offered him to take over the estate. An impossible choice to refuse... and a plunge into the unknown. My mother, a caregiver, left everything. My brother and I followed. We put our lives on hold for this vineyard. Today, we cultivate 10 hectares, with a deep commitment to the environment: our HVE certification since 2020 is proof of that. Our vines are our pride, our wines are our story."

"When my father took over the estate, we had nothing. Zero bottles to sell. We had to create a range, make a name for ourselves. ProWein changed everything. In the first year, we secured our first importers and since then, we return every year without exception. Today, we finalize contracts there, build relationships, and prepare for the future. This fair is much more than an event: it's where it all began."

"Thanks to the Région Val de Loire, we are on the France Pavilion. It's a real asset for us who have grown step by step in this universe. Having support, experts by our side, is a real lever to structure ourselves for export and continue to grow."

A piece of advice for succeeding in export?

A trial as much as a revelation. "You have to be ready to sacrifice everything. Exporting is not just about selling, it's about understanding, adapting, and holding on when everything seems lost. You have to be passionate. When you've experienced hardships, moments of doubt, wondering if you'll make it... it's the passion and strength of the family that saved us. Today, we finally see the fruits of these sacrifices, and it was worth it." From 0 to 85,000 bottles a year: a dream come true! "We have built something solid. 28 states in the United States, 18 countries spread across Europe and Asia, and this is just the beginning. What drives us every day? The desire to share our wines with the world."