Orchidées, Maisons du Vin

Orchidées Maisons de Vin is an umbrella organisation that was launched in 2017 and includes: Ackerman in Saumur; Maison Drouet Frères in Muscadet, who work with the Bonhomme family, long-time Tanners suppliers; Donatien Bahuaud also in Muscadet; Rémy Pannier in Anjou; and Maison Monmousseau, sparkling wine producers in Montrichard. Headed up by general manager Bernard Jacob and winemaker Séverine Lepaul, it produces wines from the length of the River Loire. There are two strands to the business: Estates and Châteaux on one side and brands on the other. It includes 92 vine-growers, three co-ops, one group of 46 producers and 305 employees. Their approach to vineyard management is to employ environmentally friendly practices, a policy started by Ackerman back in 1998. To reinforce this they have Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) accreditation from the French government. They export to over 50 countries worldwide and produce all styles of wines from the valley. The name Orchidées – Orchids in English – was adopted due to founder, Jean-Baptiste Ackerman’s, love of these flowers.