Chateau Yvonne is not just an elite producer of Saumur-Champigny, it is one of the best in the entire Loire region. 

The property and vineyards date back centuries, but the name, Yvonne, refers to the previous owners. Those owners, along with help from Françoise Foucault (of Clos Rougeard), purchased and rejuvenated the vineyards in 1997.

The wines remain a little under-the-radar. Maybe this is because Yvonne initially made wines in a more modern, Bordeaux-like, fashion: dense and oaked. But the original owners sold the estate way back in 2007 and everything changed. 

It changed so much, in fact, that it often seems crazy to us how under-the-radar these wines can be. But, we don’t want to jinx it, as they are a staff and customer favorite, year-round.

Mattieu Vallée took over and quickly transitioned to biodynamic farming. 

The winemaking changed too, in pursuit of a purer, more terroir-driven style--less  dark, oaky, and extracted wines, and no enzymes, no additives, no inoculation. Yes!

Fast forward 10 more years and the wines of Chateau Yvonne are singing, winning widespread acclaim and rave reviews. 

They won't be under-the-radar much longer, but for now we're happy that the prices are still very reasonable compared to the Rougeards and Guiberteaus of the world. 

Grab what you can when you see her wines! Links below.

Chateau Yvonne, Saumur-Champigny Rouge “L’lle Quatre Sous”, 2018

This is Vallée's fresh, "bistro" style Cabernet Franc.

The wine sees no wood, just 8 months of aging in concrete tanks, and like all his wines is made with natural yeasts, no added enzymes and only minimal SO2. He bottles without fining or filtration.

You can serve this wine a bit chilled, and watch the combination of bright red fruit and chalky minerals pair perfectly with all your summer grilling and chilling!

Chateau Yvonne Saumur-Champigny “La Folie”, 2019

This one is just a touch more serious, thanks to hard limestone soils and aging in wood (half large casks, half 4-5 year-old barrels).

You can chill and drink for casual pleasure, but this is also a wine that you can dress up when the occasion demands elegance and complexity, with fine tannins and a mélange of dark cherry, redcurrant and fresh herbs.

Chateau Yvonne, Saumur-Champigny Blanc, 2016  [limited] 

100% Chenin Blanc from 3ha from four limestone terroirs and vinified in mostly neutral barrels. A rich, strongly mineral wine that can be drunk young with food or aged for over a decade.

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