Domaine du Viking is an unusual name for a Loire Valley estate owned and operated by a Frenchman. But Lionel Gauthier, the owner and winemaker, changed the name of his estate from Gauthier to Domaine du Viking in 1989 after most of his friends started calling him “the Viking.” His nickname is apparently related to his blonde hair and robust build, which his friends though made him look Scandinavian. Gauthier makes Vouvray, usually in a demi-sec or off-dry style. Gauthier is a one-man operation, and every bunch of grapes is hand-harvested, sorted, crushed and cellared in his small garage.