Producer profile · Chavignol
François Cotat
A Chavignol domaine producing site-named Sauvignon Blanc and a small range of Pinot Noir wines.
- Home village
- Chavignol
- First vintage
- 1947, as the family estate
- Run by
- François Cotat
- Farming
- Not certified; organic principles, per importers
- Soil families
- Terres Blanches
At a glance
François Cotat in brief
A Chavignol domaine producing site-named Sauvignon Blanc and a small range of Pinot Noir wines.
History & people
A domaine in context
The Cotat estate in Chavignol goes back to the brothers Paul and Francis, who were adopted by their uncle Ferdinand, a Chavignol grower, and made their first vintage with him in 1947.
Paul's son François began working alongside them in 1979, and John Gilman reports that he took over the main winemaking from his father in 1987. When the vineyards were divided in 1998, François kept the small Culs de Beaujeu parcel and his share of Les Monts Damnés and La Grande Côte. He has since added a fourth Sancerre, Caillottes, from younger vines on flatter chalky ground between Chavignol and the town.
Owner and winemaker
François Cotat
Son of Paul Cotat; working at the family estate since 1979.
Library interpretation
Producer style profile
Editorial interpretation: broad aromatic range, palpable texture and the capacity to change markedly with bottle age.
Ground & place
Vineyards and soils
The cellar
Wine lineup
Sancerre · White · Sauvignon Blanc
La Grande Côte
A Chavignol site reference often followed across bottle age.
- Bottling
- Named-site bottling
- Soil
- Terres Blanches
Plan carefully
Visit and contact
Contact the estate directly
Appointment policies and opening times can change. Confirm current availability, language and accessibility directly with the producer before making a journey.
- Address
- Le Bourg, 18300 Chavignol
Research record
Sources & updates
Checked on 13 September 2026 against the sources listed here. Importer and tourism-office pages repeat what producers tell them, and they are named as such.
- Domaine François Cotat, caves et bonnes adresses ↗ Vins du Centre-Loire (BIVC)
- Domaine François Cotat's long-lived and brilliant Sancerre (June 2017) ↗ John Gilman, View From the Cellar (hosted by the importer)
- Domaine François Cotat ↗ North Berkeley Imports (importer)
- François Cotat: vineyards and wines ↗ Winedoctor (Chris Kissack)
Last reviewed: September 13, 2026
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