Winemaker Wednesday: Château de Villeneuve
Today, we speak with Jean-Pierre Chevallier, a fourth generation winemaker, at Château de Villeneuve in Saumur.
Tell us about your property (how long it has been in your family, how long you have been making wine there, the size, any growing philosophy you might have):
I am a fourth generation winemaker. My parents were grapegrowers in the village of Dampierre sur Loire and bought Château de Villeneuve in 1969. Wines have been produced at this property since the 16th century. Our vineyards overlook the Loire, situated on limestone rock, the same tuffeau soil that is used to build the châteaux in the region. We grow two varieties on our property: Chenin Blanc for the production of Saumur Blanc and Cabernet Franc for the production of Saumur Champigny.
I came naturally into wine by studying oenology at the University of Bordeaux. My degree enabled me to make wine in Champagne and then in Costières de Nîmes. It wasn’t until 1985 that I joined my parents on the property.
Currently, we are in the process of converting our entire vineyard – five hectares of Chenin and 20 acres of Cabernet franc – to Agriculture Biologique certification from Qualité France.
What is your favorite vintage and cuvee from your own property and why?
My favorite vintage is the 1996 and then the 2005.
When you are not drinking your own wines, what are you drinking? What other wines, beers, etc. do you enjoy?
I love to taste wines from other regions, such as white Burgundies and the reds from the northern Rhône.