Maison Bodet Herold

Étienne Bodet's Loire Valley precision

An exceptional winemaker with creative energy

A winemaker with creative energy and rare precision , Étienne Bodet embodies the new generation of Loire Valley talent. Originally from Montreuil-Bellay , he grew up in the heart of the Saumur region , where his family owns an estate. His career led him to work alongside major figures in the wine world 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 sparkling wines

With his wife Kim Hérold , he simultaneously founded Maison Bodet-Hérold , an ambitious project dedicated to sparkling wines from the Loire Valley . Here, the bubbles are elegant , vinified naturally and without compromise , with a focus 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 jewel: 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 that dominates the appellation. From the 2020 vintage onwards, he imposed his vision: a long and gentle maceration ( 26 to 28 days, without punching down or pumping over ), no extraction , 35% whole clusters , vinification without sulfur until aging ( only 20 ppm added ), and two years in barrels (some from Clos Rougeard ), followed by six months in tank and six in bottle .

A biodynamic and intuitive approach

His approach aims to soften the tannins of Cabernet Franc 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 balance to avoid ethylphenol, while incorporating a controlled touch of Brettanomyces . " You have to make wine on a knife's 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 , crafted to stand the test of time , where the Saumur terroir expresses itself with rare elegance .