Under Bossard’s leadership, the domaine quickly became a regional pioneer. He was sometimes referred to as the "Pope of Muscadet" because of his uncompromising commitment to organic principles and his innovative idea to bottle Muscadet wines according to geological parcels—such as orthogneiss or granite—instead of standard appellations.
Domaine de l’Écu was established in the early 1970s by the young winemaker Guy Bossard, who took over the estate in Le Landreau near Nantes after returning from military service. At a time when industrial, chemically driven farming was the norm, Bossard made a conscious decision to follow natural methods. The estate was certified organic as early as 1975, and in 1998 it also received Demeter biodynamic certification—long before such practices became common in the Loire Valley.
Under Bossard’s leadership, the domaine quickly became a regional pioneer. He was sometimes referred to as the "Pope of Muscadet" because of his uncompromising commitment to organic principles and his innovative idea to bottle Muscadet wines according to geological parcels—such as orthogneiss or granite—instead of standard appellations. This terroir-driven approach, combined with extended sur lie aging, gave his wines a depth and complexity that was rare in Muscadet at the time.
Starting in 2009, Fred Niger—originally a lawyer and IT entrepreneur—began working alongside Bossard and fully took over the domaine between 2010 and 2013. Niger introduced a new dimension to the estate’s philosophy: he remained firmly committed to organic and biodynamic farming, but expanded the use of over 100 amphorae, as well as aging in old concrete and wooden vats. His ethos stayed unchanged: minimal intervention in the cellar, spontaneous fermentations, and a respectful, energy-conscious relationship with the terroir. His work reflects a deep conviction and sensitivity to nature, even incorporating unconventional elements like lithotherapy and cosmic rhythms as part of his biodynamic vision.
Today, the estate covers around 30 hectares of vineyards, primarily in the Muscadet-Sèvre-et-Maine area, and includes red and white grape varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc, and Chardonnay. Domaine de l’Écu’s wines are distributed in more than 45 countries and are highly regarded by leading restaurants around the world. The portfolio features not only classic Muscadet cuvées, but also a wide range of experimental Vin de France labels, created through collaborations under names like “Love & Grapes” and “Temps des Copains,” where Fred works with fellow winemakers to produce natural, characterful wines with a strong individual identity.
