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Meng Cheng () is a Chinese-American theoretical physicist and Associate Professor of Physics at Yale University. His research focuses on the classification and characterization of topologically ordered quantum phases of matter, with particular contributions to the theory of symmetry-enriched topological order, fracton phases, and quantum criticality.

Domaine de Juchepie is a biodynamic winery and vineyard located in Faye-d'Anjou, in the Coteaux du Layon appellation of Anjou in the Loire Valley of France. The estate sits on a hillside ridge overlooking the Layon river valley, in the Maine-et-Loire department, approximately 30 kilometres southeast of the city of Angers. Its vineyards produce both dry white wines and celebrated sweet and liquoreux wines from Chenin Blanc, as well as a small amount of red wine.

Château de Plaisance is a biodynamic winery and vineyard located in Rochefort-sur-Loire, in the heart of Anjou in the Loire Valley of France. The estate sits on the famous Butte de Chaume, a hillside of schist and quartz soils in the Maine-et-Loire department, approximately 25 kilometres southwest of the city of Angers. Its vineyards span three prestigious appellations: Chaume 1er Cru, Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru, and Savennières.

Origins and the Rochais family

Château de Plaisance has approximately one century of recorded winemaking history. The Rochais family acquired the estate around 1960 and would remain its stewards for some 60 years. Henri Rochais ran the property for many decades, producing wines primarily from the Chaume hillside vines. In 1983, Henri and his son Guy Rochais made a notable expansion by acquiring vines in the Savennières appellation — specifically in the Clos des Mauriers lieu-dit.

By the 1980s, Guy Rochais was working alongside his father, and he eventually assumed full management of the 25-hectare estate. Under Guy's leadership — joined by his wife Patricia in 1994 — Château de Plaisance became known for a diverse range of wines including sweet Coteaux du Layon, dry whites, rosé, red, and a small amount of sparkling wine. Guy Rochais also became the first producer on the Chaume hill to vinify a dry white wine from the traditionally sweet-only Chaume terroir, a move that earned him a fine from the local AOC regulatory body for non-compliance; he subsequently renamed the wine L'Insolente (The Insolent).

The estate was converted to organic farming in 1995 and to biodynamic agriculture in 2008, making it one of the early adopters of these practices in Anjou.

Change of ownership: Vanessa Cherruau

In September 2019, after years on the market without finding a buyer — with the prospect of sale to a local cooperative — the estate was acquired by Vanessa Cherruau, a young winemaker born and trained in Angers at the École Supérieure d'Agriculture. Cherruau purchased the property together with entrepreneur Emmanuel Lemaire. At the time of transfer, only 16 of the 25 hectares were actively in production, requiring significant replanting and investment.

Cherruau was 32 years old at the time of the acquisition, making her one of the youngest owners of a Grand Cru estate in the Loire Valley. Her story attracted significant media attention, including coverage in Ouest-France, the Conseil Départemental de Maine-et-Loire, and the national press.

In 2024, Cherruau took full majority ownership of the estate, marking the beginning of a new chapter.

The dry Chaume debate

One of the most distinctive aspects of Château de Plaisance's recent history is its role in the debate over dry wines from the Chaume and Quarts de Chaume terroirs. Since the appellation rules historically permitted only sweet wines, dry whites produced from these hillside parcels must be declassified to Anjou Blanc, despite originating from Grand Cru soils. Vanessa Cherruau has been an active voice in discussions around creating a new dry white appellation for Chaume and Quarts de Chaume.