{"product_id":"maison-valette-macon-villages-nv","title":"Macon Villages","description":"\u003cp\u003eFresh lemon, crisp orchard fruit, and subtle herbal notes lead into a rounded, textured palate. Bright acidity keeps things lively, while extended aging on the lees adds depth and a gentle richness. Dry, savory, and refreshing, with a long, salty finish. An approachable but substantial Chardonnay that offers plenty of the qualities that make the Valettes' wines so enjoyable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaison Valette\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Valette family has been making wine in Chaintré, a small village at the southern end of Burgundy, for three generations. Their story began shortly after World War II, when Philippe's grandfather arrived from neighboring Bresse and began farming rented vineyards. In 1977, his son Gérard made the unusual decision to stop selling grapes to the local cooperative and begin producing his own wine. It was an independent-minded move at a time when most growers in the area were content to let someone else handle the winemaking, and it laid the groundwork for what would become one of the most respected names in natural Burgundy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilippe joined the family business after finishing wine school in 1990 and almost immediately began questioning what he'd been taught. Convinced there was a better way to care for the vines, he began converting the vineyards to organic farming, eventually embracing biodynamic practices in 1992. It wasn't easy. Organic viticulture had barely been mentioned during his education, and much of what he learned came through trial, error, and close observation of the land. His wife Cécile and brother Baptiste have been integral to the family's work, helping carry forward an approach to farming and winemaking that was well ahead of its time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, the family works around 15 hectares of vineyards spread across several villages in the Mâconnais, including Chaintré, Pouilly-Fuissé, and Pouilly-Vinzelles. They grow only Chardonnay, with vines rooted in the region's limestone and clay soils. Much of their attention goes toward maintaining healthy, living soils, encouraging microbial activity, and allowing the grapes to reach full maturity without forcing the vines to produce more than they naturally should. Everything is harvested by hand, and the work in the cellar is guided by the same respect for the fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf there's one thing that defines Philippe's winemaking, it's patience. The grapes are pressed slowly, fermentations begin naturally, and the wines spend extended periods aging on their lees, often in old oak barrels. While most producers in the region release their wines relatively young, the Valettes are willing to wait years before bottling certain cuvées. They've also spent decades reducing their reliance on sulfur and other interventions, allowing the wines to develop at their own pace rather than trying to control every stage of the process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe results are some of the most distinctive Chardonnays coming out of Burgundy. Rich, layered, and deeply savory, with remarkable freshness and an ability to develop beautifully over time. These aren't wines made to fit a particular mold or satisfy the expectations of an appellation. They're the result of decades spent understanding a particular piece of land and having the confidence to let the wines become what they will.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilippe, Cécile, and Baptiste have never seemed particularly interested in chasing recognition or following trends. Their reputation has grown because of the quality of their work and the conviction behind it. Long before natural wine became fashionable, they were already asking difficult questions about farming and winemaking, and finding their own answers. More than thirty years later, Maison Valette remains an extraordinary example of what can happen when a family commits itself to doing things thoughtfully, patiently, and on its own terms.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maison Valette","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55921020797219,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0586\/4226\/8358\/files\/IMG_9969.jpg?v=1793839316","url":"https:\/\/terroirizer.wine\/products\/maison-valette-macon-villages-nv","provider":"Terroirizer","version":"1.0","type":"link"}