Domaine d’Orfeuilles is an estate that has been in the Herivault family for more than 2 centuries.
A succession of vignerons over 10 generations scattered all over the region.
Established in 1910 in the heart of the Vouvray vineyards, Arnaud Herivault is the fourth generation to represent the domaine.
The domaine was certified organic in 2010 and biodynamic in 2020. It’s one of our favourite estates in the appellation.
It’s the third largest organic estate in the appellation with 24 hectares of vineyards and a number of different terroirs.
This Vouvray Brut is fermented in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats before blending and bottling for the second fermentation. The base wines come from 2015, 2016 and 2017 (this blending of several vintage years is quite uncommon in the Loire).
It’s riddled and disgorged after a minumum of 36 months ageing sur lattes.
The extended lees ageing gives the wine a lovely rich yeasty, toasty note that comes through on both the nose and palate. It’s deliciously dry but has no hint of austerity. An excellent aperitif but it certainly has enough character to pair with food too.
Arnaud’s wines are quite widely available in the USA and he has one London importer in the UK.
All his wines are excellent so do look out for them or if you’re in the region, pop in and buy a few bottles.
And I’m not the only one to think so. A couple of MW’s paid him a visit only this week!
