The vineyard
The 35 hectares of the vineyard surround like a horseshoe the terraced gardens in a preserved ecosystem of forests and pastures. Six hectares are planted in the historic enclosure of the walled park.
The vines of Château de Valmer, planted on hillsides with clay-limestone soils overlooking the Brenne valley, allow the four facets of the chenin to be declined and produce sparkling, dry, semi-dry and sweet white wines.
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Jean de Saint Venant brought the enthusiasm of his youth and the rigour of the new generation of winegrowers, with the ambition of creating haute-culture, to produce "lace wines", as he calls them.
The solution comes simply from a luxury of daily precautions, scrupulous respect for demanding technical routes. Since 2009, he has devoted all his energy to working the soil in order to allow the vine to restore the characteristics of this terroir as well as possible. The traceability of the wines is total.
The years spent in Paris have certainly brought me a lot, but you have to know how to listen to yourself and have the courage to live your life. Mine was no longer in Paris, like an animal that would not be in a suitable biotope... Wine is a family passion that has been passed on for generations, even if I had the chance to bathe in this environment at a very young age, it was only during adolescence that I became aware that my life would be dedicated to the cultivation of the vine and the vinification of the grape. I had to wait 10 years to realize myself.
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With its sense of heritage, the Saint Venant family has managed to preserve one of the last cellars in the region. At a time when concrete tanks are returning to fashion for the greatest Bordeaux castles, they deserve to be listed, as have the castle and terraces since 1930, as part of the inventory of Historic Monuments.
These glass concrete vats are thermo-regulated to control temperatures during alcoholic fermentation and thus maintain an optimal temperature.
The wines are matured in vats on fine lees for 6 months before being bottled to finish their maturing in peace in the beautifully preserved tufa cellars under the High Terrace.
The Open Cellar Weekends at Valmer are a unique opportunity to discover the exceptional cellars, the century-old cellars and its wines!
The guided tours will be personally provided by the owner, Jean de Saint Venant, who today embodies the 5th generation of enthusiasts who have worked the Valmer vineyards since the 19th century to produce exceptional wines.
Why Independent Winegrowers?
Being a winegrower means having several jobs: working your vineyard, accompanying your grapes, raising your wine and finally marketing it. We are really the only master on board, we are responsible for the chain from beginning to end. It is to defend my profession that I have chosen to adhere to the charter of the independent winegrower.
The independent winegrower cultivates his vines while respecting his terroir.
He cultivates his vines. It is from this grape that "his" wine will be born. He loves his vines, and devotes time to them. The right grapes will make the right wine.
By respecting his terroir, he knows his land well and cultivates it according to the best cultural and environmental practices.
It is essential for the Independent Winegrower to protect the landscapes and biodiversity of his terroir by practicing healthy and sustainable viticulture for the benefit of all. He knows that nature is generous when you know how to respect it.
The Independent Winegrower makes his wine in his cellar.
He makes his own wine, makes it or distills it and raises it with care. Its wine is not an industrial product, it is artisanal and unique.
It is a profession of know-how, experience, patience and love that resists standardization.
Winemaking and distillation are delicate operations whose smooth running depends on the expertise of the Independent Winemaker.
The Independent Winegrower sells his wine by sharing his passion.
He sells his wine or spirits directly to his customers according to the distribution channel he has chosen. He likes to explain his job whenever he can, especially when he meets his clients.
He highlights the logo and proudly displays the values of the Independent Winegrowers' movement.
Independent winegrower, a profession unlike any other that resists standardization and reveals authentic wines and personalities.