Éric Louis is a passionate winemaker with a keen passion to share his profession, wine, vineyard and his family’s rich history.

Pauline Louis founded the estate in 1860 and travelled across France selling her wine at markets. She was succeeded by her son Julien, then it was her grandson Léon’s turn to take the reins and continue the family tradition. Léon’s marriage to Ginette resulted in two estates being combined to create Les Celliers de Pauline, named in honour of his grandmother.

The popularity of Sancerre wines grew in the 1970s, both in France and beyond its borders. At the same time the work of Éric’s father, Léon Louis, began to bear fruit and Domaine des Celliers de la Pauline developed widespread renown.

Éric Louis uses both modern vinification techniques and know-how passed on by his ancestors to produce a wide range of wines, from Sancerre to Pouilly-Fumé, Menetou-Salon, Quincy and Crémant de Loire. His cellar also contains “Cuvée Pauline”, a white and red Sancerre produced in honour of his great-grandmother.

Éric Louis is the fourth generation to work the vines and is a passionate winemaker keen to share his profession, terroir and family history. He has therefore opened his wine estate to the public, offering comprehensive visits to the wine cellars. The estate has also been awarded Tourisme & Handicap, France Passion and Vignobles & Découvertes status.

Visitors can also enjoy a guided tasting of seven wines served with typical products from the local terroir, including the famous Crottin de Chavignol goats cheese.

And children can have fun too, with their very own blind tasting of “mystery” syrups.