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Clos Naudin
Vouvray · Loire · France
Domaine du Clos Naudin, established in 1923 when Philippe Foreau’s grandfather acquired the property, has long been a benchmark for Vouvray. Philippe Foreau himself guided the domaine from 1983 until recently, championing Chenin Blanc through meticulous viticulture and uncompromising standards. Today, the estate comprises 11.5 hectares of vines, planted exclusively with Chenin on sites such as Les Perruches and Les Ruettes. The vines average around 45 years of age and are farmed organically without herbicides, relying only on natural fertilisers.
“Harvesting is carried out by hand in successive passes, ensuring grapes are picked at optimal ripeness, whether destined for dry, demi-sec, moelleux, or sparkling wines.”
Now under the leadership of Vincent Foreau, the fourth generation, the domaine continues to embody the family’s philosophy of purity and precision. Fermentations are slow and natural, carried out in the estate’s caves, and no chaptalisation is practiced — off-dry and sweet cuvées are only made when nature allows. The celebrated sparkling wines remain among the longest-aged in Vouvray, spending a minimum of 48 months on their lees to develop depth and complexity. With Vincent at the helm, Clos Naudin retains its place as one of the Loire Valley’s most respected and authentic voices of Chenin Blanc, uniting heritage with a clear vision for the future.
