The Chardonnay comes mainly from vineyards around Valvignères and Vogüé, in the southeast of the Ardèche.
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Location / Origin: Valvignères and Vogüé are located in the southern Ardèche, where limestone plateaus, hills, and river landscapes create significant local differences in terroir.
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Soil: The Gravettes terroir consists of a mineral combination of stones, sand, and clay on clay-limestone plateaus. The stony structure ensures drainage, while the clay can retain moisture during dry periods.
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Vineyard & Yield: The yield is limited to approximately 45 hl/ha. This relatively low yield helps to build sufficient concentration and ripeness in the grapes.
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Harvest: The grapes are harvested when fully ripe during the coolest hours of the day, so that freshness and delicate aromas are preserved as much as possible.
The processing is focused on a combination of pure fruit, softness, and extra texture.
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Harvest & Selection: Only free-run juice and the first pressing are used. The later, coarser press fractions are excluded from the cuvée, keeping the base refined and pure.
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Fermentation: Alcoholic fermentation takes place under controlled temperatures. This ensures that the floral aromas and the fresh citrus character remain clearly recognizable.
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Maturation / Aging: After the main fermentation, malolactic conversion is encouraged to develop extra roundness and complexity. The Chardonnay is then aged on the fine lees, which provides more volume, softness, and a slightly creamy mouthfeel without losing the fresh finish.
Gravettes is entirely focused on Chardonnay and the way this grape reacts to the stony soils of the Ardèche.
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100% Chardonnay – Ardèche: Chardonnay brings white flowers, citrus, and ripe fruit together with almond, linden blossom, and a soft texture. The fresh mineral side of the Gravettes terroir adds extra tension and length to this.
