As a teenager, Simon Tardieux began working in the vines at a famous organic domaine called Clos Roche Blanche. After university and a short stint as a social worker, he decided to return to Thésée and get back to viticulture – the only problem was that he didn’t have any vineyards. In 2009, Simon teamed up with his neighbor Alain Courtault, who had been farming organically since 1998, but was still selling most of his harvest off to the local coop. Together, they created a range of simple, eminently drinkable wines that showcase the best of French farming, and a decade later, they are bottling all of their grapes.

Following Alain's retirement in 2020, Simon took over the domaine gradually, mentored along the way by Alain. The work in the vineyards goes far beyond following the rules of organic farming. Every decision Simon makes is the result of thoughtful deliberations and an effort to promote a local “paysan” culture between local farmers and winemakers. Simon helps maintain a collective compost pile, has promoted the local historical links to Roman ruins in the area through his cuvée ‘Les Maselles,’ organizes local organic fairs amongst organic winemakers, and works with a local photographer to document the year-round effort of life in the vineyards.

Thésée is most famous for Sauvignon Blanc, and it is the grape makes up the largest production at Tardieux. They produce two separate cuvées: Les Sagères from white clay and slate soils, and Les Parcs from limestone terroir. Of course it would be simpler to blend them together, but Simon insists that they taste better as separate cuvées, and sample tastings at the domaine have proved correct year after year. Simon also introduced two single-vineyards cuvées from exceptional sites that were previously sold off to the local coop: Avec vue sur le Cher, which overlooks the Cher river, and Les Maselles, which is next to a gallo-romain archaeological site.

Lest we concentrate too much on the white wines, they also produces excellent rosé and red from the local Pineau d’Aunis grape, as well as several excellent red wines from Gamay, Cabernet Franc, and Côt (the local term from Malbec). Pineau d'Aunis is a light-skinned, temperamental grape with a distinctive spicy aroma. Historically in the region, it's used to make rosé , but it also can produce light-bodied delicious reds. At Tardieux, they produce both. From their remaining red vineyards, they produce single-varietal wines for the local market (where everyone has a favorite grape), as well as choice blends for export: the cuvée Tradition made from Gamay and Côt, and the cuvée Dialogues, produced from old vines only in years where the stars align and the Cabernet Franc and Côt can be harvested at the same time and cofermented.