Winery Overview
Domaine du Héron is nestled on a 28-hectare estate in the Loire Valley, just 20 km from the city of Nantes, in Muscadet’s most historically important appellation, Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine. Local owner Philippe Nevoux told us recently that his aim is “to continue making traditional wines, while focusing on the area’s many unique soils – and being certified organic.” Currently, there are only about 20 certified organic Muscadet producers out of around two hundred, making Héron a part of a small group that believes in organic farming not only for the environment, but also to produce more compelling wines. The estate’s name is a reference to the local herons who have taken residence on a small ponds among the vineyards. The owners felt connected to them, their understated elegance, and their destiny of traveling far away from home to come back to home (similar to the terroir-message in a bottle of wine). Philippe is keen to point out the old school charm of his property, describing to us a plot of 80+ year old vieilles vignes along a crumbling stone wall, even if he quickly switches back to being ever-pragmatic: “The cellar is functional and traditional. We use large 50 and 100 liter buried concrete tanks, native yeasts, and minimal sulfur. In the cellar we try to be as simple and clean as possible to have precise wines. We try to vinify more and more by different soil types since the resulting wines are so different. We are also pushing the amount of time the wine stays on the lees. In the vineyards, instead, we’ve created many new initiatives…less invasive ways to till and work the vines, pheromone capsules for insect control, and mixing different cover crops for a good humus.” “We often talk about biodiversity, but here at Héron it’s built-in among the walls, ditches, swaths of woods, and a pond favoring local fauna and flora – including our beloved herons. Many wild animals such as game, rabbits, small reptiles, and insects make their home here – the vineyards are more healthy for it.” Héron has been in organic conversion for last few years and will start releasing their first certified organic bottles with the 2024 vintage. We love to see this old school traditional approach with being certified organic. And, the wines really hit the spot. They transport you to the France’s Atlantic coast: iodine-y, musky, with depth and texture from the lees. Of course they pair wonderfully with an oyster or crustacean aperitif, or the classic moules frites, but they reach just as glorious heights with a Wednesday night dinner of green salad and slices of smoked salmon. Héron’s ‘Le Nid’ bottling has older vines and extended time on the lees; it begs for piece of fresh fish or roasted vegetable on top of the local beurre blanc sauce. Part of the Portovino portfolio