Hervé Villemade

Hervé Villemade is one of the key figures in natural wine , alongside other pioneers such as the Puzelat brothers of Clos Tue-Bœuf , the Mosse brothers and the Breton brothers . For almost twenty years, he has worked with passion and consistency to produce natural wines in the Loire Valley .

Based in Cellettes , in the heart of the Cheverny appellation, Hervé Villemade took over the 13.5-hectare family estate in 1995. In 1999 , he was joined by his sister Isabelle , and together they began converting the vineyard to organic farming . Weedkillers and synthetic chemicals were banned, harvests were carried out by hand , and natural vinification became the norm in the cellar.
No oenological inputs are used, with the exception of small doses of sulfur at bottling, and indigenous yeasts are systematically favored for spontaneous fermentations . On sandy and flint clay soils , Hervé Villemade carries out rigorous work in the vineyard, in a preserved environment, surrounded by plots without conventional viticulture nearby — a true natural setting , which has become rare.
A great defender of forgotten Loire grape varieties , he particularly promotes Romorantin and Menu Pineau , in a permanent quest for freshness , precision and purity of fruit .
In 2008 , he also created a grape trading structure to ensure economic stability for the estate while maintaining its quality standards. This global commitment allows him to offer digestible wines , very drinkable , but also capable of aging well . His latest playground: amphorae , which he discovered in Georgia , and which allow him to bring additional depth to certain vintages.
Hervé Villemade's wines , always marked by sincerity and authenticity, appeal to wine lovers looking for free, precise and delicious juices.