Francine et François Dhumes
An artisanal estate nestled between the Auvergne mountains and lunar poetry
Based in Orcet, in the Puy-de-Dôme region, Francine and François Dhumes cultivate their vision of a vibrant and authentic wine under the evocative name " Le Chant de la Lune" (The Song of the Moon ). This name pays homage to the red moon of Easter, responsible for a brutal frost in April 2024 that decimated their harvest—an ordeal that only strengthened their connection to nature. The Dhumes consider themselves neither a conventional estate nor simply wine merchants. They embody an artisanal approach to winemaking, where transparency is paramount : carefully selected organic grapes , slow maceration, zero additives, discreet aging in old barrels, and a constant search for balance between expressing the terroir and respecting the fruit.
Frank, vibrant wines, always in motion
The estate vinifies both its own grapes and selected fruit from the Ardèche , Beaujolais , and Auvergne regions, with absolute fidelity to the origin and the natural environment. The flagship wines— Minette, Zorah, and Nuit Blanche —bear the mark of this sincerity: unadorned juices, often made using long infusions, always designed for the pleasure of sharing. Minette : a deep, age-worthy Gamay from the Auvergne , made from destemmed grapes, macerated for an extended period, and then aged for a year in old barrels. Zorah : a red wine bursting with fruit, made from high-altitude Gamay grapes, vinified with precision using sustainable practices. Nuit Blanche : a complex white wine based on Chardonnay and Muscat Chardonnay, combining direct pressing and gentle maceration.
A philosophy of living wine, in the heart of Auvergne
Beyond the wines themselves, Francine and François champion an ethic of living wine : manual cultivation, working without additives, respecting lunar cycles , and refusing technical compromise. Their wines are not products, but living entities, expressing the winemaker's hand, the light of the vintage, and the depth of the volcanic soil.
Le Chant de la Lune is a rare estate in Auvergne, one to watch closely for all those looking for wines of character, sensitive and profoundly human.
