Bernard Vallette
From the deep south of Beaujolais in the village of Lachassagne, where the soils are clay and limestone as opposed to granite, Bernard Vallette is biodynamically farming 6.5ha of land passed down through his family from his grandparents. The grapes are all hand harvested and fermented with native yeasts using carbonic maceration and a comparatively lengthy aging in mostly stainless steel. The resulting wines are charming and immensely drinkable in their youth, but also develop nicely with a few years of age. No additions in the cellar (including sugar) and just a touch of SO2 at bottling, only when needed.
Bernard and his wife and partner Agnès Clamens follow the lunar calendar and take great care of the vitality of their vines, believing that the wine is truly made in the vineyard. They see themselves as shepherds of the wine, only deciding the date of harvest, otherwise doing their best to not get in the way of the wine’s journey. Bernard and Agnès feel that if the people, plants, and animals all feel good surrounding them, that the finished wine will be in harmony.
Sadly, Bernard passed away among his vines in late 2024. Agnès continues the winery on her own in the same beautiful, positive spirit as Bernard always demonstrated. We thank Bernard for reminding us to live simply, happily, and in harmony with nature.
