Story
Mai & Kenji Hodgson
Anjou · Loire · France
In the heart of Anjou, near Rablay-sur-Layon and Faye d’Anjou, the Japanese-Canadian couple Mai and Kenji Hodgson are redefining the wines of the Loire Valley. After arriving in France in 2009 and working alongside producers such as Mark Angeli and Benoît Courault, they planted their first hectare in 2010 and now cultivate approximately 4 hectares of Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Grolleau, and a small amount of Gamay. Their farming is organic with biodynamic influences, on vineyards with schist and slate soils, and all vineyard work is done by hand with a focus on low yields and exceptional fruit quality. In the cellar, intervention is minimal: whole clusters, indigenous yeasts, no fining or filtration, and no added sulfites unless absolutely necessary. Signature wines like Faïa (barrel-aged Chenin), Les Aussigouins (aged Chenin from 40-year-old vines), and Ô Galarneau!
“(pure Cabernet Franc) stand out for their freshness, minerality, and layered structure.”
These are wines that require time to evolve in the bottle but reward patience with depth, energy, balance, and an authentic expression of terroir.
