Clos du Tue-Boeuf
Welcome to one of the emblematic areas of natural viticulture in the Loire: Clos du Tue Boeuf!
Le Clos du Tue Boeuf, managed by brothers Thierry and Jean-Marie Puzelat, experienced a new lease of life in the early 1990s when they took over this 16 hectare estate. A key element of this story is that the vines had never been exposed to chemistry, providing an exceptional opportunity for the two brothers. Taking inspiration from the late Marcel Lapierre, they immediately set about producing natural wines on this property located between the Touraine and Cheverny appellations, near Hervé Villemade in the Loire. In a short time, the estate expanded, incorporating the historic Clos des Montils, which covers just over 11 hectares, as well as plots on the Monthou-sur-Bièvre plateau, totaling around 3 hectares. This extension made it possible to add to the diversity of the terroir of clay with flint on chalk a terroir of sand with gravel. The few remaining hectares are reserved for the preservation of the forest and wild areas to maintain a balanced ecosystem.
In 2003, the Puzelat brothers created a trading structure to buy grapes from winegrowers who shared their philosophy during lean harvest years. In 2004, a structure for importing foreign wines was created. In 2019, Jean-Marie retired, making way for the new generation. It was at this point that Thierry's daughters, Zoé and then Louise, joined Clos Tue-Boeuf full time, inspired in part by the winery's heritage which influenced many young winemakers.
The estate is committed to organic viticulture and favors animal traction as much as possible to work the vines. The winemaking uses exclusively native yeasts, without recourse to other chemical inputs, with the exception of a possible use of sulfur in very small quantities during bottling (and even then, this is not systematic). Vinification and aging are prolonged to refine the juices.
Clos du Tue Boeuf wines quickly became benchmarks for natural wines, hailed for their frankness and sincerity. Originating from the beautiful Loire region, these wines are essential for any self-respecting wine cellar.
