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.
Mont Damné (Vincent’s preferred spelling) is an entirely new, important single vineyard for Vincent, marking his arrival in the famed village of Chavignol. In 2022, he vinified his first vintage from a steep single parcel located due east of the village, in the sheltered heart of the Mont Damné slope, leased to Vincent by Anne Vatan. The south-facing parcel consists of massale selection sauvignon blanc vines that were planted on the hillside by the legendary Edmond Vatan in the 1960’s. Soils here famously consist of caillottes (Oxfordian limestone) with calcareous clay subsoil, giving Chavignol its signature finesse, strength and power, as well as its notable ability to improve with age in bottle.
Mont Damné’s naturally low yields are further enhanced by Vincent’s ruthless pruning to less than half that of the appellation norm. Along with his disciplined organic and biodynamic viticulture and late harvesting, these factors yield a concentrated, complex expression of this great site. Just two 600L barrels of Vincent Gaudry Mont Damné are produced, and only when the vintage speaks to Vincent’s sensibilities. Vincent Gaudry is carrying the flag of traditional Mont Damné blanc from this historic and important vineyard.
Ever the quintessential craftsman in every level of his work, Vincent is equally dedicated to ensuring the safe voyage of his wines through an investment in the best corks in the market to seal his bottles. Vincent’s corks come from an artisan producer on the island of Sardinia. His corks are natural, produced without the use of chemical treatments or glues, and are aged for 13 years. The resulting corks, which are exceptionally dense and strong, are checked by machine and guaranteed against defects like cork taint.
Finally, each bottle is wrapped in the region’s traditional straw sleeves (produced by the last company in France making them), before being packed in wooden cases of six bottles for shipment.
Region
Loire Valley
Appellation
Sancerre
Site
Chavignol
Vineyard
Les Monts Damnés (southern exposure)
Grapes
100% Sauvignon Blanc (planted from old massale selection)
Vine Age
Planted in the 1960s
Soil
Caillottes (Oxfordian limestone) with calcareous clay subsoil
Fermentation
Spontaneously fermented with ambient yeasts in two 600L used French oak barrels
Aging
18 months on the fine lees in the same barrels without bâtonnage, before being bottled according to the lunar calendar
MLF
Spontaneous
Farming
Practicing organic and practicing biodynamic (in conversion to certification)
Fining/Filtration
None
Vegan
Yes
ABV
13.5%
Pack Size
6x750mL