There’s something special about experiencing old-world tradition in a new-world setting. Last week, Armand Mellot—representing one of France’s oldest family-run wine estates—brought a taste of the Loire Valley to the Sofia Design District in Miami. The setting: an intimate lunch with a handful of curious palates and open notebooks, all eager to taste.

Armand, both humble and endearing, spoke passionately of his family’s 500-year legacy in Sancerre. The Mellot family has tended their vines since 1513, crafting wines that now span eight appellations of the Centre-Loire, including Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Menetou-Salon, Quincy, Reuilly, and more. His pride was quiet yet palpable. This was less about prestige, more about purpose. It was the kind of encounter that reminds you how wine, at its core, is still about people and place.

We began with the Touraine-Chenonceaux (2023) Certified organic and expressive with white peach and flinty zest. Powerfully aromatic. Each sip showed depth without losing freshness.

The Sincérité Sauvignon Blanc (2023) followed. Bright, floral, with a touch of acidity. Notes of acacia and boxwood danced with crisp minerality, a Loire hallmark.

The Menetou-Salon Clos du Pressoir (2023) impressed with its Kimmeridgian-limestone minerality and balance: white peach, unexpectedly full bodied, and a lingering finish.

Then came the Pouilly-Fumé (and my favorite):  Le Tronsec (2022) Intense on the nose. Fleshy and smoky, showing that unmistakable “fumé” character. Dangerously easy to drink.

To close, the Chinon Les Morinières (2023) A silky, purple-hued Cabernet Franc anchored the lineup with notes of raspberry, pepper, and Loire charm. Perfect with Sofia’s Cavatelli alla Bolognese.

Each wine reflected a specific terroir, yet together they told one cohesive story: a family deeply rooted in tradition, evolving with intention, and guided by respect for the land.

As Armand shared glimpses of life back in Sancerre, his family’s vineyards, the challenges of harvest, and the push toward sustainable viticulture, it was hard not to imagine standing on those same limestone slopes, glass in hand, overlooking the Loire River. A gal can dream…

I hope to meet again one day soon. This time, not in Miami, but in Sancerre, where the Mellot story first began.