Christian Venier

Cheverny, Loire Valley, France Located in the eastern section of Touraine, just off the Sologne and the Loire, Christian Venier tends his vines of classic Loire varietals. He has a deep set of roots himself, as his family has been winemakers and growers in the region for generations. Out of his 7 brothers, he was the one to look lovingly towards the vines and nodded, 'yes..I will take charge.' As the new branch of the family, he has turned his attention to the soils and their unique expressions through the varietals. He purchased 14h of vines from a waning farmer and revitalized the old cellars in his father's home in 1998. Following the path of his friends, Thierry and Jean-Marie Puzelat, he began farming with natural and biodynamic methods, intervening as minimally as possible. He has in his fold, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Menu Pineau, Pineau d'Aunis, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Côt & Cabernet Franc. The soils are silica and clay based with varying degree or gravels and stones. As he harvests each by hand, he considers perfect ripeness, and an appropriate vessel for vinification and ageing. The cellar makes use of resin-fiberglass, inox, cement and oak, all in large format. All the wines are produced with natural yeasts and no further additions or subtractions. All the wines enter the tank as whole cluster and are allowed to spontaneously ferment under a loose fitting seal. A hint of oxidation is welcomed. The aim is more minerality and structure (as the stems add) while maintaining the nature feel of the wine that the vine itself offered. Christian is a wild, joyous soul with a look in his eye as old as the vines around him. It is his land, his family around him and the growing potential of the vines that gives him this gaze. A man who makes wine for pleasure and who is a pleasure to be around.