Hervé Villemade

Wines from Domaine Hervé Villemade: buy at the best price

Hervé Villemade is one of the key figures in natural viticulture in the Cheverny region, in Loir-et-Cher. Based in the commune of Cellettes, at the heart of the Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny appellations, he took over in 1995 the family estate founded by his grandfather Désiré in the 1930s, and gradually transformed it into a national reference for natural wine. A pioneer of organic conversion in his region, having converted from 2000, and a member of the Association des Vins Naturels, Hervé produces wines of remarkable richness and purity across approximately 22 certified organic hectares. His speciality is Romorantin, a native white grape variety from Loir-et-Cher so singular that it has its own appellation — Cour-Cheverny — for which he crafts two benchmark single-vineyard cuvées.

Read more
See more
Filters

Price

€60.00 - €80.00

Appellation

Color

Vintage

Parker WA rating

No choice available on this group

Burghound rating

No choice available on this group

Revue du Vin de France rating

No choice available on this group

Bettane & Desseauve rating

No choice available on this group

Prices drop

No choice available on this group

Download this list
There is 1 product.
Download this list
  • Name, A to Z
  • Name, Z to A
  • Price, low to high
  • Price, high to low
  • By quantity
  • Latest Arrivals
Hervé Villemade Cheverny Desiré 2019 Magnum
1 in stock
111932
Red
150cl
Add to cart
Loire | Cheverny

Hervé Villemade Cheverny Desiré 2019 Magnum

€66.00 inc-VAT per bottle
€55.00 ex-VAT
The TOP winemakers of Loire

History of Domaine Hervé Villemade

The history of the estate begins in the 1930s, when Désiré and Gilberte Villemade settled in Cellettes, in the Loir-et-Cher. Their son Henri took over the farm, developing it to 45 hectares of mixed farming (asparagus, cereals, livestock) and 8 hectares of vines. In 1995, Hervé, the youngest of the siblings, trained at the viticultural lycée in Amboise, took over and made a clean break: he put an end to the livestock and négociant activities, created the estate as it is known today, planted 4 hectares of new vines and decided to bottle the entire production. His sister Isabelle joined him in 1999.

Around 1997, a twofold revelation transformed his vision of wine: the discovery of the wines of Marcel Lapierre and Clos du Tue-Boeuf opened his eyes to natural winemaking, and a severe sulphur allergy forced him to completely rethink his approach in the cellar. He came to understand that to make wine without sulphur, grapes of the highest quality are absolutely essential, and he began the organic conversion of the estate from 2000, certified from 2012 for the entire vineyard and cellar. In 2009, he acquired an additional 8 hectares on the Fougères plateau. Since 2008, he has also produced varietal wines through a grape négociant structure sourcing from the Loir-et-Cher, allowing him to broaden his creative palette.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Hervé Villemade

The vineyard of Domaine Hervé Villemade is concentrated primarily in the commune of Cellettes and its surroundings, at the heart of the Cheverny appellation. A notable feature of the terroir: the plots are largely surrounded by woodland that forms a natural boundary, shielding the vineyard from neighbouring chemical use and fostering plant and animal biodiversity. These woods also provide natural ventilation through the westerly winds that pass through the forests, cooling the vines during the intense summer heat that has become increasingly frequent since the 2000s. The soils vary according to the lieu-dit: heavy clay, sand and flint for the Cheverny Blanc plots (La Bodice), sandy and clay soils for the Fougères plateau, and sand, flint and clay for the Romorantin plots in Cour-Cheverny.

The grape varieties are representative of the local Loire tradition: Sauvignon Blanc (dominant in the Cheverny whites), Chardonnay, Menu Pineau, Romorantin (for the Cour-Cheverny), Pinot Noir and Gamay (for the reds and rosés). Hervé also holds old Pinot Noir vines planted by his grandfather Désiré, which are bottled exclusively in magnum format. The entire vineyard is certified Organic Agriculture.

Winemaking at Domaine Hervé Villemade

Hervé Villemade's cellar philosophy is that of the natural winemaker in its most authentic form: no additives, no exogenous yeasts, no sulphur except a minimal dose at bottling for certain cuvées. Harvesting is done by hand, with grapes pressed directly. For the whites, fermentations are started with indigenous yeasts; ageing takes place in stainless steel tanks, concrete, or old oak demi-muids depending on the cuvée. For the Romorantin, winemaking respects the naturally rich and ample character of the grape variety: direct pressing, cold settling, fermentation in stainless steel or concrete tanks, ageing on the lees, with light filtration before bottling for certain cuvées.

For the reds, vinification takes place entirely in concrete tanks, with no added sulphur, yielding wines that are juicy, straightforward and vibrant. Hervé Villemade's approach has been profoundly influenced by the philosophy of Marcel Lapierre and Clos du Tue-Boeuf: letting the fruit and the terroir express themselves without artifice, with living soils as the fundamental starting point. As he himself puts it: having living soils is the foundation for obtaining beautiful grapes.

The cuvées of Domaine Hervé Villemade

Cheverny Blanc: The estate's main blended cuvée, sourced from the historic plots of Cellettes in Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, on soils of clay, sand and flint. Vinified in tanks, with no added sulphur except a minimal dose at bottling. A fresh and expressive nose of citrus and white flowers, a lively and mineral palate, saline finish. A characterful Cheverny Blanc, a faithful and generous introduction to the world of the estate.

Cheverny Blanc La Bodice: A single-vineyard cuvée from the lieu-dit La Bodice, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (80%), Chardonnay and Menu Pineau, on soils of heavy clay, sand and flint. Vinified by direct pressing, fermented and aged in demi-muids and old oak barrels. A more structured and complex wine than the generic cuvée, with a dense texture and fine richness, notes of angelica, fern and fennel, an elegant palate and a long finish. Built for the table, it pairs readily with poultry or fish in a creamy sauce.

Cheverny Rouge: A blended red cuvée made from Gamay and Pinot Noir, vinified entirely in concrete tanks with no added sulphur. A juicy and luminous wine, with aromas of fresh red fruits (cherry, raspberry), with enough earthy character to balance the indulgent fruitiness. Approachable and easy-drinking, it is a wine for immediate pleasure, perfect with simple, generous cuisine.

Cheverny Rouge Les Ardilles: A single-vineyard red cuvée sourced from a selection of old Pinot Noir vines on the lieu-dit Les Ardilles, produced in vintages that allow it. More structured and concentrated than the generic cuvée, with aromas of dark fruits, spices and a saline minerality characteristic of the clay terroirs of Cellettes. A wine for ageing, to be decanted or left to develop for a few years in the cellar.

Désiré (magnum only): A tribute cuvée honouring the founding grandfather Désiré Villemade, sourced from the very old Pinot Noir vines he planted, available exclusively in magnum format. This rare and confidential wine expresses the depth and complexity of old vines on the terroirs of Cellettes: intense aromas of dark fruits, undergrowth and spices, a concentrated and velvety palate, and a long, mineral finish. A collector's piece for lovers of great Loire Pinot Noirs.

Cheverny Rosé: A light and festive rosé made from a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir. Bright pink in colour, with aromas of fresh red fruits and flowers, a fresh and indulgent palate. A perfect thirst-quenching rosé for summer, vinified with no added sulphur, in keeping with the estate's natural philosophy.

What's Up Rosé: An ultra-brut natural sparkling rosé, with no added sulphur, made from a blend of Pineau d'Aunis, Grolleau and Menu Pineau, vinified by direct pressing with fermentation started in tanks. A lively, fresh and original sparkling rosé, embodying the playful and creative spirit of Hervé Villemade.

Cour-Cheverny Les Châtaigniers: The first single-vineyard cuvée in Romorantin, sourced from plots bearing the evocative name of the surrounding chestnut trees. The exclusive grape variety of the Cour-Cheverny appellation, Romorantin yields here a dry white that is both powerful and aromatic, with notes of white fruits, fresh walnut and a beautiful siliceous minerality. An expressive and fruity Cour-Cheverny, in a style slightly more approachable than Les Acacias.

Cour-Cheverny Les Acacias: The flagship cuvée and pinnacle of the range in Romorantin, sourced from the two oldest plots of the estate planted with this variety, on soils of sand, flint and clay. Vinified by direct pressing, fermented in stainless steel and concrete tanks on indigenous yeasts, aged on the lees. A wine of great power and incomparable breed: complex aromas of warm stones, dried nectarine, sea salt and flowers, and a long, saline finish. A wine for ageing, capable of developing over five years and beyond, it perfectly embodies the singularity of Romorantin and the identity of the Cellettes terroir.

Cour-Cheverny Les Saules: A Romorantin cuvée made from grapes purchased from trusted local growers under the estate's négociant licence. It faithfully expresses the aromatic and mineral character of the grape variety, in a style slightly different from the estate's own cuvées, offering a complementary perspective on Romorantin within the Cour-Cheverny appellation.

Bovin (IGP): A cuvée made from grapes purchased from trusted local growers in the Loir-et-Cher, within the négociant structure created in 2008. A varietal wine, crafted in the same natural spirit as the estate's cuvées: no additives, no added sulphur. A generous and approachable cuvée, a sincere expression of Loire terroirs worked according to Hervé Villemade's convictions.

Sauvignon IGP Val de Loire: A Sauvignon cuvée made from grapes purchased from local growers in the Loir-et-Cher, vinified according to the estate's natural philosophy. An expressive and lively Sauvignon, with aromas of citrus and white-fleshed fruits, a fresh and mineral palate, ideal as an aperitif or with seafood and Val de Loire goat's cheeses.

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT US

5 good reasons to buy wines on V&M

...

EXPRESS DELIVERY

In a secure polystyrene packaging

...

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

Find out more about VAT-EX sale for outside EU deliveries

...

COLLECTION NEAR PARIS & VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS

Free collection in our warehouse near central Paris (92)

...