Eric Chevalier Chardonnay 2024

Eric Chevalier operates Domaine de l'Aujardière, a family estate located in Saint-Philbert de Grandlieu in the Pays Nantais region of the Loire Valley, southwest of Nantes. He represents the fourth generation of his family to farm the property, which encompasses approximately 25 hectares of vineyards.

Before taking over the family domaine, Chevalier spent ten years working as a négociant, sourcing fruit for a large producer in the Touraine. During the 1990s, he gained formative experience working as an apprentice in Chablis, Burgundy, where he helped make his first wines. This experience influenced his approach to Chardonnay production.

In 2005, Chevalier returned to his hometown and took over Domaine de l'Aujardière from his father in 2006. His father, a skilled vigneron, had been known as a high-quality source of bulk wine but bottled little of the estate's production under his own label. When Eric assumed control, the vineyards required significant attention, and he initially approached the project with hesitation. However, his passion for winemaking developed over time.

Since taking the reins, Chevalier has implemented substantial changes to improve wine quality. He gradually eliminated herbicide use, began plowing the soils, and enacted sustainable farming practices. The estate achieved organic certification in 2020, a notable accomplishment in a region traditionally known for intensive farming methods focused on high yields.

Chevalier's winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention. He ferments wines with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks and bottles them unfiltered. His approach allows the terroir to express itself, particularly the granite and metamorphic rock soils characteristic of the Pays Nantais. The estate's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean contributes saline and mineral qualities to the wines.

While the Pays Nantais is primarily known for Muscadet, Chevalier has built a reputation for producing distinctive Chardonnay alongside traditional Muscadet bottlings, showcasing the region's winemaking potential beyond its signature grape variety.

The Loire Valley, often called the "Garden of France," stretches over 600 miles along France's longest river, creating one of the world's most diverse and historic wine regions. From the Atlantic coast to central France, this picturesque region produces an extraordinary range of wine styles across 87 appellations, making it a cornerstone of French natural wine production.

The region's signature white grape, Sauvignon Blanc, thrives in prestigious appellations like Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, producing mineral-driven wines with crisp acidity. Chenin Blanc dominates Vouvray and Anjou, crafting everything from bone-dry to lusciously sweet wines, including sparkling pétillant naturel. Near the Atlantic, Muscadet focuses on Melon de Bourgogne, creating saline-driven whites perfect for oysters.

Red wine production centers on Cabernet Franc in appellations like Chinon, Bourgueil, and Saumur-Champigny, delivering floral, peppery wines with bright acidity. Gamay and Pinot Noir add lighter styles, while indigenous varieties like Grolleau and Pineau d'Aunis showcase the region's unique character.

The Loire Valley's terroir varies dramatically—from flinty clay and chalky limestone to volcanic soils—while the climate shifts from maritime influences in the west to continental conditions in the east. This geological and climatic diversity enables the region to produce wines that authentically reflect their specific locales.

Today, the Loire Valley leads France's organic and biodynamic wine movement. Producers like Domaine Tessier in Cheverny and François Chidaine in Touraine champion minimal intervention winemaking, creating wines that are fresh, vibrant, and expressive of their origin.