Bernard et Agnés 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 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.
November 2024
Repose en paix, Bernard
May we all be so lucky to love what we do.
To never want to leave the spaces and places we cultivate.
To lean in to love fully, no matter when it arrives.
To say yes, of course, the full moon is fine to drink under, it brings out the fruit. But a new moon is not a bad day to drink wine, because it shows us the earth.
To devote your time on this Earth to creating something categorically good.
Good soil.
Good food for the bees.
Good energy.
Good wine.
To never seek recognition beyond pleasure. To do something because it moves you.
That was Bernard Vallette. I only met him twice, but his were some of the most impactful visits of my career. Thank you for sharing your gifts and spirit.
