Since 1991, Vincent Gaudry has been handcrafting essential, soulful wines with a profound connectedness to the land and to the collective lineage of vignerons past. At just 16, he joined his father in running the estate established by his grandfather in the tiny hamlet of Chambre, near Sury-en-Vaux, Sancerre. Today, Gaudry’s wines are among the most authentic, artisanal, and limited of the region.
A true minimalist whose guiding principle is “Trust in Nature,” Vincent began converting to organic farming in 1995, obtaining certification in 2002. He developed a deep appreciation for the balance that a biodynamic philosophy brings to his 11ha of vineyards, becoming the first producer in Sancerre with a Demeter certification in 2004. The vineyards, the forests, and their animal inhabitants work in harmony, and that harmony is felt in the wine.
Gaudry’s vineyards are planted on all three predominant Sancerre terroirs:
- Silex (flinty soils offering structure, length, and lift), which runs in a narrow band along a fault line passing underneath Saint-Satur, near the town of Sancerre
- Terres Blanches (Kimmeridgian clay-limestone marl, providing mouthfeel) from Sury-en-Vaux
- Caillottes (hard, weathered Oxfordian limestone giving nose and aromatics) from Verdigny
Vincent explains that, historically, when Sancerre was still sold by the barrel to satisfy the thirst of Paris bistros, négociants used to blend wines from the three different terroirs of Sancerre in equal parts to make a complete wine that travels well. Cuvée ‘Le Tournebride’, the primary wine of the domaine, is made in reference to this tradition. For Vincent, ‘Le Tournebride’ represents a complete, transparent expression of Sancerre, delicately perfumed with a touch of gras and mineral tension.
Region
Loire Valley
Appellation
Sancerre
Villages
Verdigny, Sancerre, and Saint-Satur
Elevation
200-300m
Grapes
100% Sauvignon Blanc (planted from old massale selection)
Vine Age
Average of 40 years old
Soil
Caillotes in Verdigny, Terres Blanches in Sury-en-Vaux, and Silex in Saint-Satur
Fermentation
Spontaneously fermented with natural yeasts in 50% stainless steel tanks and 50% large used French foudres
Aging
18 months in stainless steel on the lees in stainless steel tanks without bâtonnage
MLF
Spontaneous
Farming
Certified organic (Ecocert), Certified Biodynamic (Demeter)
Fining/Filtration
None
Vegan
Yes
ABV
12.5%
Pack Size
12x750mL