Natacha CHAVE

The Winery is called Aleofane, in reference to John Macmillan Brown's imaginary island. Natacha Chave specifies: " In the Aleofane city, fermented drinks, such as wine, are considered rare, diabolical and yet healing goods: the wine is prescribed there on medical prescription ". What is certain is that here in France, this will not happen tomorrow! Natacha knew that one day she would "make" wine like her parents.

The Chave family: passionate about wine

Before settling down, she decided to obtain her baccalaureate and then to study for a master's degree in the philosophy of language. Her brother, Yann Chave, took over her father's Winery Bernard Chave (Winery ) in early 2000. For Natacha, this was the turning point. In 2003, she enrolled at the University of Wine in Suze-la-Rousse, then passed a diploma of Professional Agricultural Capacity (CPA) and finally did a few internships with various winegrowers to complete her initiation.

Organic wines that respect nature

In 2004, she bought 1.5 ha of vines in the Saint Joseph appellation in Tournon-sur-Rhône in the Rhône Valley.

In 2007, she found 40 year old vines on Crozes-Hermitage in the Chassis plain (Beaumont-Monteux), planted a few vines and owned 5 ha of Crôzes Hermitage, i.e. a total of Winery of 6.5 ha. Natacha Chave quickly decided to respect nature, the soil, the grapes and to be as hands-off as possible in the winemaking process and in the maturing process: grassing of the inter-rows, complete tilling of the soil depending on the year in order to provoke or not a competition with the vines.

The biodynamic preparations of Winery Aléofane

Natacha also uses biodynamic preparations which act to stimulate the plant's natural defences and balance. Natacha Chave makes her own manure (compost), even though 60 tons ! She is particularly passionate about this work. In 2016, she was able to plant her own vines in Cornas (1st vintage in bottle in 2020)
She is part of an approach that requires a lot of work. The work continues in the vinifications: indigenous yeasts, no enzymes. The wines are unfiltered, unfined and low in sulphites. She has put her heart into her work and in a very short time has found a large audience. A Winery and organic and biodynamic wines (certification)