The Gautier Domaine in Vouvray has been in the family for seven generations. Benoit Gautier, the present winemaker, took charge in 1981. He began the policy of domaine bottling, whereas previously the wines were sold to negociants. The domaine comprises 29 acres in the communes of Rochecorbon and Parcay- Meslay. The soil is the classic Tuffeau or limestonechalk for which the central Loire is famous. The average age of the vines is 25 years. Gautier follows a policy of hand-picking for the still wines, while about one quarter of the grapes for his Sparkling wines are machine harvested. The grapes are pressed in a pneumatic press and fermented and matured in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Depending on the year, some of the single vineyard wines are matured in old oak casks.