François Dhumes was born and raised in Auvergne. After studying at the wine school in Macon, he worked for some "conventional" wineries. Here he saw all the (chemical) additives and manipulations that were used, and he decided that he didn't want to work that way. He returned to his native soil, and met natural winemakers like Vincent Tricot and Patrick Bouju.
After working for these greats for a few years, he also started up his own little domain. He now cultivates about 2 hectares of vineyards (Gamay and Chardonnay), while still "helping out" with Bouju and Tricot.
François cultivates a 2 ha vineyard on the hill of Corent, overlooking the river Allier planted with Gamay d’Auvergne and Chardonnay on limestone and basalt. He works organically in the vineyard and makes wines with no additions.
The quality of this wine is high and undeniable. 100 % Chardonnay and Rich, soft, with sweet peach flavor on entrance. It offers a good counterbalance of freshness with sour apple notes on midpalate and a tight lateral stoniness front end, but the acidity is again sugary and soupy. The nose is splendidly reductive with matchstick and butter, seashell and clay. 🔥