Michel Autran
Michel Autran, a man of many lives, devoted almost 20 years to medicine before turning to his true passion, wine. Trained by renowned winemakers such as Lise and Bertrand Jousset, Frantz Saumon, and François Pinon, he took the plunge in 2012 by taking over his first vineyards in Vouvray.
From the outset, Michel Autran's domaine has been committed to biodynamic viticulture, seeking out exceptional terroirs regardless of plot size. At 3.80 hectares, it has reached an ideal size for expressing the full potential of Chenin. The varied soils, flinty clay and clay-limestone, give his wines distinct characters.
As an unprejudiced neo-winemaker, Michel Autran also embodies an artistic and poetic spirit. His choice to work a small, isolated plot on an exceptional terroir reflects his quest for authenticity, despite the practical challenges inherent in this peaceful location.
Although his first official vintage only dates back to 2013, Michel Autran has quickly made a name for himself as one of Vouvray's most gifted and exciting winemakers. A man who has followed his passion, he explains, "I've dreamed of becoming a farmer since I was a child, simply because farming creates life, and it's an incredible feeling."
Although he doesn't want to be labeled a strictly biodynamic winemaker, Michel follows the lunar calendar and uses preparations such as 500 and 501, in addition to nettle and ponytail teas. The use of horse-drawn ploughing on steep slopes and the replacement of missing vines with massal selections illustrate his commitment to respectful practices.
Particularly atypical for the appellation, Michel has decided to produce exclusively dry wines since the 2017 vintage. Opting for successive harvests meticulously sorted to eliminate botrytis, he ages his wines for a minimum of two years in troglodyte underground tuffeau cellars.
In his quest for excellence, Michel Autran has chosen to maintain the modest size of his domaine and manage everything himself. This approach offers him an intimate understanding of the terroir and the possibility of detailed adjustments over the years. A path to exception that translates into authentic, singular wines.
From the outset, Michel Autran's domaine has been committed to biodynamic viticulture, seeking out exceptional terroirs regardless of plot size. At 3.80 hectares, it has reached an ideal size for expressing the full potential of Chenin. The varied soils, flinty clay and clay-limestone, give his wines distinct characters.
As an unprejudiced neo-winemaker, Michel Autran also embodies an artistic and poetic spirit. His choice to work a small, isolated plot on an exceptional terroir reflects his quest for authenticity, despite the practical challenges inherent in this peaceful location.
Although his first official vintage only dates back to 2013, Michel Autran has quickly made a name for himself as one of Vouvray's most gifted and exciting winemakers. A man who has followed his passion, he explains, "I've dreamed of becoming a farmer since I was a child, simply because farming creates life, and it's an incredible feeling."
Although he doesn't want to be labeled a strictly biodynamic winemaker, Michel follows the lunar calendar and uses preparations such as 500 and 501, in addition to nettle and ponytail teas. The use of horse-drawn ploughing on steep slopes and the replacement of missing vines with massal selections illustrate his commitment to respectful practices.
Particularly atypical for the appellation, Michel has decided to produce exclusively dry wines since the 2017 vintage. Opting for successive harvests meticulously sorted to eliminate botrytis, he ages his wines for a minimum of two years in troglodyte underground tuffeau cellars.
In his quest for excellence, Michel Autran has chosen to maintain the modest size of his domaine and manage everything himself. This approach offers him an intimate understanding of the terroir and the possibility of detailed adjustments over the years. A path to exception that translates into authentic, singular wines.
