Philippe Faure takes over as director of the AOC Touraine producers’ organisation

he AOC Touraine wine region covers 5,000 hectares under vine farmed by over 400 winegrowers. At the end of the summer, its producers’ organisation welcomed a new director. Chemical engineer and professional winemaker Philippe Faure will be “bringing his dual skills as a winegrower and a trade official to the organisation. His aim is to create new momentum and enhance the Touraine appellation’s profile”, says a press statement.

The purpose of the appointment is to guide the organisation towards “support for economic, technical and environmental issues within the industry”, by leveraging the new director’s practical experience and background, adds the statement. After starting his career in 1999 on the family estate – Domaine La Favette in Saint-Just d’Ardèche, which boasts 27 hectares of organic AOP Côtes du Rhône vines and 4 hectares of kiwis – “Philippe Faure spent over 15 years as the specifications and technical advisor as vice-chairman then secretary general of the Côtes du Rhône producers’ organisation in Avignon (2020-2024)”.

The AOC Touraine producers’ organisation is hoping to build on “his excellent understanding of trade organisations and practical experience to manage the major economic, technical and environmental issues” faced by the industry. Pointing out that the Loire – which runs through the Touraine appellation area – takes its source in the Ardèche area of southern France, Faure will be providing support for winegrowers in one of the Loire Valley’s largest appellations which produces 200,000 hectolitres annually in the Indre-et-Loire and Loir-et-Cher departments.