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.

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Hervé Villemade Cheverny Desiré 2019 Magnum
1 in stock
111932
Red
150cl
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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 the Hervé Villemade estate

The history of the estate begins in the 1930s, when Désiré and Gilberte Villemade settled in Cellettes, in 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 clear break: he put an end to the livestock and trading activities, created the estate as it is known today, planted 4 hectares of new vines and decided to market the entire production in bottles. His sister Isabelle joined him in 1999.

Around 1997, a twofold revelation transformed his vision of wine: the discovery of Marcel Lapierre's wines and those of Clos du Tue-Boeuf opened his eyes to natural winemaking, and a severe sulfur allergy forced him to completely rethink his approach in the cellar. He then understood that to make wine without sulfur, grapes of exceptional quality were absolutely necessary, and he began the organic conversion of the domaine des as early as 2000, certified from 2012 for the entirety of the vineyard and cellar. In 2009, he acquired an additional 8 hectares on the Fougères plateau. Since 2008, he has also been producing varietal wines through a grape-trading structure sourcing from Loir-et-Cher, allowing him to broaden his creative palette.

Terroirs and Vines of the Hervé Villemade estate

The vineyard of the Hervé Villemade estate is essentially concentrated in the commune of Cellettes and its surroundings, at the heart of the Cheverny appellation. A major distinctive feature of the terroir: the plots are largely surrounded by woodlands that form a natural boundary protecting the vineyard from surrounding chemical inputs and promoting plant and animal biodiversity. These woods also provide natural ventilation through westerly winds that pass through the forests, cooling the vines during the intense summer heat waves that have become increasingly frequent since the 2000s. The soils vary according to the lieux-dits: 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 variety mix is representative of the local Loire tradition: Sauvignon blanc (dominant in the whites of Cheverny), Chardonnay, Menu Pineau, Romorantin (for the Cour-Cheverny), Pinot noir and Gamay (for the reds and rosés). Hervé also owns old Pinot noir vines planted by his grandfather Désiré, which are bottled exclusively in magnum. The entire vineyard is certified Organic Agriculture.

Winemaking at the Hervé Villemade estate

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

For the reds, vinification is carried out entirely in concrete tanks, without added sulfur, yielding juicy, honest and vibrant wines. Hervé Villemade's approach has been deeply 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 summarizes it himself: having living soils is the foundation for obtaining beautiful grapes.

The cuvées of the Hervé Villemade estate

Cheverny Blanc: The estate's main blended cuvée, sourced from the historic plots of Cellettes in Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay, on clay, sand and flint soils. Vinified in tanks, without added sulfur except for a minimal dose at bottling. A fresh and expressive nose of citrus and white flowers, a lively and mineral palate, with a saline finish. A characterful Cheverny blanc, a faithful and pleasurable entry point into the world of the estate.

Cheverny Blanc La Bodice: Single-plot cuvée sourced from the lieu-dit La Bodice, a blend of Sauvignon blanc (80%), Chardonnay and Menu Pineau, on heavy clay, sand and flint soils. 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 without added sulfur. A juicy and luminous wine, with aromas of fresh red fruits (cherry, raspberry), with enough earthy character to balance the pleasurable fruitiness. Accessible and easy-drinking, it is a wine for immediate enjoyment, perfect with simple and generous cuisine.

Cheverny Rouge Les Ardilles: Single-plot 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 mature for a few years in the cellar.

Désiré (magnum only): Tribute cuvée honoring the founding grandfather Désiré Villemade, made 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, with a long and 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 colour, aromas of fresh red fruits and flowers, a fresh and pleasurable palate. A perfect thirst-quenching rosé for summer, vinified without added sulfur, in keeping with the estate's natural philosophy.

What's Up Rosé: Ultra-brut natural sparkling rosé, without added sulfur, made from a blend of Pineau d'Aunis, Grolleau and Menu Pineau, vinified by direct pressing and fermentation started in tanks. A lively, fresh and original sparkling rosé that embodies the playful and creative spirit of Hervé Villemade.

Cour-Cheverny Les Châtaigniers: The first single-plot 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 flinty minerality. An expressive and fruity Cour-Cheverny, in a slightly more accessible style 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 in this variety, on sand, flint and clay soils. Vinified by direct pressing, fermented in stainless steel and concrete tanks on indigenous yeasts, aged on lees. A wine of great power and unmatched breed: complex aromas of warm stones, dried nectarine, sea salt and flowers, with a long and saline finish. A wine for ageing that can be cellared for five years or more, 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 trading licence. It faithfully expresses the aromatic and mineral character of the 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): Cuvée made from grapes purchased from trusted local growers in Loir-et-Cher, within the framework of the trading structure created in 2008. A varietal wine, crafted in the same natural spirit as the estate's cuvées: no additives, no added sulfur. A pleasurable and accessible cuvée, a sincere expression of Loire terroirs worked according to Hervé Villemade's convictions.

Sauvignon IGP Val de Loire: Sauvignon cuvée made from grapes purchased from local growers in 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 goat's cheeses from the Val de Loire.

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