Château La Rabotine is owned by Alban Roblin, younger grandson of Sancerre winemaker Georges Roblin and cousin of Matthias and Émile Roblin d’Enclos de Maimbray. An isolated estate on the northern edge of Sancerre, Alban reminds us that Loire Sauvignon Blanc can be just as original and interesting as Chenin on the left or Chardonnay on the right.
Alban and his wife took over the reins of Château La Rabotine and its vineyards in 2010. What appears to be a new wine venture is in fact the continuation of an old one, as the Roblin family have been cultivating this land since the 1920s. The estate is located in the commune of Sury-en-Vaux, "Sourire dans la Vallée", a peaceful little town with just over 700 inhabitants. Sury-en-Vaux is one of the typical winegrowing villages of the Sancerrois region, with its hillsides planted with vines on clay-limestone terroirs. This northern region is home to several exceptional winemakers, including M. Reverdy and M. Riffault. A winemaker of skill and finesse, Alban is no exception to this exceptional rule.
The region is unique because of its higher altitude ( 280m) and the wind in the valley, which acts like a hairdryer on the vines, repelling rot and problematic diseases. The dominant terroirs at La Rabotine are "Terres Blanches", clay-limestone soils, and "Caillottes", limestone soils. It is on these quality soils, with their gentle slopes and old vines of 40 years or more, that the typicity of his wines is expressed. This unusual setting enables Alban to cultivate biodynamically without sacrificing the fruit’s adaptability.
The art of blending must not be forgotten. For the most part, Alban Roblin’s wines are skilful, well-considered blends of several lieux-dits. Each vintage dictates how the wine will be made. That’s why the wines of Château La Rabotine call out to us every year, and keep us coming back for more.
Alban Roblin passionately perpetuates the tradition of quality on his family’s 12-hectare estate. Motivated by his desire to offer exceptional products, Alban offers quality wines that regularly win prizes and awards.