Maison Valette

Maison Valette is one of the Mâconnais’ most distinctive estates, producing deeply expressive Chardonnay through a philosophy built around living soils, patient winemaking and minimal intervention. Based in Chaintré, at the southern edge of Burgundy where the Mâconnais meets Beaujolais, the family domaine has developed a devoted following for wines that combine richness and maturity with remarkable energy and individuality.

The Valette family’s story began when Philippe Valette’s grandfather established himself as a sharecropper after the Second World War. In 1977, Philippe’s father Gérard stopped delivering grapes to the local cooperative and began making wine independently. Philippe joined after completing his oenology studies in 1990 and subsequently transformed the estate’s approach to viticulture.

Today, Philippe works alongside Cécile and Baptiste Valette, with the family farming around 15 hectares devoted entirely to Chardonnay. The vineyards have been worked without synthetic chemicals since 1992, following organic and biodynamic principles, although the family deliberately chooses not to pursue formal certification. Particular attention is given to soil health, microbial life and achieving full physiological ripeness.

Maison Valette produces wines from appellations including Mâcon-Chaintré, Pouilly-Fuissé and Pouilly-Vinzelles, alongside celebrated cuvées such as Clos de Monsieur Noly and Clos Reyssié.

In the cellar, intervention is kept to a minimum. Fermentations occur naturally with indigenous yeasts, while extended ageing on the lees—sometimes lasting several years—is central to the Valette style. The wines are released only when considered ready, resulting in powerful yet finely balanced Chardonnays noted for their texture, complexity, mineral depth and unmistakable sense of place.

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