Our family history
Edmond Andrieu
Arlette and Pierre Riviere, with their sons
Jean-Pierre and Philippe
Pierre and Philippe Riviere, during the grape harvest
Pierre, Philippe and Jean-Pierre Riviere, with Serge, crop manager
Philippe and Jean-Pierre Riviere, in the vineyards of Clos des Menuts
1538
To retrace the history of the Clos des Menuts, we need to go back to 1538, the date of the first written trace attesting to the sale of a barrel of wine by the syndicate of the Friars Minor ("Fray Menuts" in Gascon), a religious order of Saint Francis of Assisi, still known as the Cordeliers (Corde Lies).
1956
After buying it from the BORD family in the early 50s, Jean Edmond ANDRIEU donated it to his daughter and son-in-law Pierre RIVIERE in 1956.
Since then, every effort has been made to enhance and develop this prestigious estate: extending the vineyard, building a new winery...
1970
In the 1970s, Pierre RIVIERE trained his two sons Jean-Pierre and Philippe to gradually pass on the vineyard and market it worldwide.
Michèle RIVIERE, Philippe's wife, joined them a few years later to promote the vineyard to French wine merchants.
2001
In the early 2000s, Jean-Pierre and Philippe officially took over the reins of the estate.
Thanks to them, the first step towards a more environmentally-friendly vineyard was taken in 2001: integrated viticulture.
2007
The two brothers call on world-renowned consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt to vinify CLOS des MENUTS and create a special cuvée from the estate's best plots. The result is L'EXCELLENCE du CLOS des MENUTS, a cuvée that has already made a name for itself in the trade press.
2010
In 2010, Nicolas, Stéphanie and then Jennifer Rivière joined their father's and uncle's adventure to develop and promote Clos des Menuts and the other Rivière family estates (Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur, Lussac Saint-Emilion, Montagne Saint-Emilion).
2015
No chemicals are used in the vineyards, and at the same time, the soil is worked in a thorough and ecological way.
2019
Le Clos des Menuts and l'Excellence du Clos des Menuts have been awarded the HVE3 label (the highest level of "High Environmental Value" certification). This guarantees the preservation of a vineyard's natural ecosystem and the minimization of pressure on the environment (soil, water, biodiversity...).
2020
Birth of Petit Menuts (AOC Saint-Emilion), from the Clos des Menuts vineyard. A fine wine with fruity aromas, full of freshness and a long finish.
Pierre RIVIERE
Arlette RIVIERE
Vendanges 1966
With Serge Beau, Hélène Beau, "Le père Toller", Monsieur Chamoleau, Lucette Lacoste ...