Maison Bodet Herold

The Loire precision of Étienne Bodet

An exceptional winemaker with creative energy

A winemaker with creative energy and rare precision , Étienne Bodet embodies the new generation of Loire talents. Originally from Montreuil-Bellay , he grew up in the heart of Saumur , where his family owns an estate. His career has led him to major wine figures such as Sylvain Pataille , Aurélien Gerbais , Bernard Baudry , François Dal and Romain Guiberteau (who is also his father-in-law), before joining the illustrious Clos Rougeard , where he is now one of the winemakers.

Maison Bodet-Hérold: natural and elegant bubbles

With his wife Kim Hérold , he also founded Maison Bodet-Hérold , an ambitious project dedicated to sparkling wines from the Loire . Here, the bubbles are distinguished , vinified naturally and without compromise , with in-depth work on the purity of the fruit and the expression of the terroir .

Clos Durandière: revealing the soul of Cabernet Franc

Étienne also took over a family gem: Clos Durandière , 1.3 hectares of Cabernet Franc planted on one of the rare islands of hard Jurassic limestone in Saumur , contrasting with the Cretaceous tuffeau dominating the appellation. From the 2020 vintage, he imposed his vision: a long and gentle maceration ( 26 to 28 days, without punching down or pumping over ), no extraction , 35% whole grapes , vinification without sulfur until aging ( only 20 ppm added ), and two years in barrels (some of which come from Clos Rougeard ), followed by six months in vats and six in bottles .

A biodynamic and intuitive approach

His approach aims to soften the Cabernet Franc tannins while capturing the vibrant essence of the terroir . He works organically and biodynamically , seeking certification. Particular care is taken with fermentations , managed with meticulous attention to microbiological balances to avoid ethylphenol, while assuming a controlled touch of Brettanomyces . “ You have to make wine on a knife edge ,” he explains, revealing a philosophy where precision and intuition intertwine.

Wines of purity and aging potential

Through Maison Bodet-Hérold and Clos Durandière , Étienne Bodet produces wines of great purity , designed to stand the test of time , where the Saumur terroir expresses itself with rare elegance .