Château Yvonne

Mathieu Vallée

Located in Parnay, Château Yvonne has been surrounded by vineyards since the Middle Ages, when the monks at the Abbaye de Fontevraud brought their influence to the region. The château dates to the 16th century, but not much became known of it until 1813, when a local winemaker moved in and began producing wine on site. In 1997, Yvonne and Jean-François Lamunière decided to recreate the abandoned vineyard with the help of Françoise Foucault. In 2007, Mathieu Vallée took over and decided to keep the name Château Yvonne, in homage of the incredible work done by the previous owners. Today, the domaine is one of the best producers in Saumur. The estate is composed of 3 hectares of Chenin Blanc and 8 hectares of Cabernet Franc, all of which have been farmed organically since 1997.

Today, Matthieu Vallée has taken his place as one of the leading producers in Saumur. The vineyards are spread out amongst over 30 different small parcels, with many of the best vineyards located in "La Côte", or the plateau next to the church of Parnay overlooking the Loire River. While much attention has been given to the limestone outcrop of Brézé further south, historically the vineyards of La Côte have been just as highly regarded. In addition to the two cuvées Yvonne Blanc and Yvonne Rouge that were historically produced at the property, Matthieu has added several other wines. La Folie is produced from over 10 parcels on colder limestone terroir of Champigny. Ile Quatre Sous comes from sandy soils and produces a soft red that's easy to drink right away. There are also two elusive single vineyard cuvées - Le Gory (Chenin Blanc) and Le Beaumeray (Cabernet Franc), which come from sites that are poised to become future premier crus of Saumur.

Key information

Loire Valley

Parnay

13 hectares

Founded in 1997

Organic certified since 1997, biodynamic practices since 2012

The wines

Saumur-Champigny Yvonne

Red Wine
 : Cabernet Franc
ChateauYvonne - SamurChampignyRouge

Yvonne Rouge is the original red wine produced at the domaine from the exceptional terroir around Parnay known as "La Côte". It’s one of the finest Cabernet Francs from the Loire, and has the seemingly indefinite ageing potential of all truly great...

Bay Rouge

Red Wine
 : 100% Pineau d'Aunis
Screenshot 2023-02-07 at 11_25_36

Brut Nature

Sparkling Wine
 : 100% Chenin Blanc
Screenshot 2023-02-07 at 11_30_37

When you've reached the pinnacle of Saumur winemaking like Mathieu Vallée, you don't stop, but rather, expand your reach to conquer sparkling heights. Produced in small quantity, this top-tier bottle was an automatic collector's item when it was re...

Saumur Blanc Yvonne

White Wine
 : Chenin Blanc
ChateauYvonne - SamurChampignyWhite

The Yvonne Blanc was one of the 2 original cuvées produced at the domaine. Mathieu continued the same high quality work in the vineyard and cellar, but drastically reduced the amount of new oak used for elevage. While most fans of Saumur Blanc know...

Saumur Blanc Le Gory

White Wine
 : Chenin Blanc
ChateauYvonne - LeGorySaumurBlanc

As part of a long term vision to develop premier cru vineyards in Saumur, Mathieu Vallée introduced two single-vineyard wines - Le Beaumeray (red) and Le Gory (white). Le Gory comes from a single tiny parcel planted by Françoise Foucault in 1999. L...

Saumur-Champigny La Folie

Red Wine
 : Cabernet Franc
ChateauYvonne - LaFolie

La Folie, aka "The crazy one", comes from over ten different parcels located in the commune of Champigny (one of which is called La Folie). Mathieu acquired these vines in 2007, the same year that he took over Chateau Yvonne. And Indeed it was quit...

Saumur-Champigny L’Ile Quatre Sous

Red Wine
 : Cabernet Franc
lilequatresouspackshot

L’Ile Quatre Sous comes from a single vineyard in Parnay with a high proportion of sandy soil which yields a softer “bistrot style” red wine to be enjoyed right away. The name means "Four Penny Island", and refers to an actual sandy bank located in...

Saumur-Champigny Le Beaumeray

Red Wine
 : Cabernet Franc
ChateauYvonne - LeBeaumeray

As part of a long term vision to develop premier cru vineyards in Saumur, Mathieu Vallée introduced two single-vineyard wines - Le Beaumeray (red) and Le Gory (white). Planted from selection massale from Le Bourg of Clos Rougeard, Le Beaumeray vine...