Natacha Chave comes from a family of winemakers, but her success is hers alone. After completing a masters degree in philosophy of language, Natacha started a course of Sommellerie at the University of wine of Suze la Rousse in 2003, and then after received a diploma of Professional Agricultural Capacity (CPA). Following this training and after a few internships with fellow winemakers, she decided to jump into a wine adventure of her own. It is in the heart of her native region that she chose to settle in order to cultivate and vinify Syrah. In 2004 she created the Aléofane estate, initially with 1.5 hectares of vines in the appellation of Saint Joseph in Tournon-sur-Rhône.
Gradually, Natacha Chave enlarged her estate in 2007, notably thanks to the purchase of fifty year old vines on Crozes-Hermitage in Beaumont-Monteux. She also selected the best vines and propagated them through cuttings (Massal Selection), eager to keep all the complexity of the older Syrah. The estate now covers 6.5 hectares. Since 2012, she also produces a white Crozes-Hermitage vintage (50% Marsanne-50% Roussanne).
The work in the vineyard is done organically (certified), grass is left in the rows, manual tilling of the soil, and biodynamic preparations are used (with horsetail, nettle, and seaweed) to stimulate the natural defenses and balance of the plant. To limit treatments, the winemaker works on the vines by disbudding, pruning the lateral shoots, and leaf stripping that helps control the vigor of the vines, even though this work is very time-consuming. Chave goes to great lengths to work organically as she fights against grape worms by using pheromone traps.
The work in the cellar is done according to the same philosophy of making wine as naturally as possible, with the least amount of intervention. Fermentation is achieved with only indigenous yeasts, there are minimal additions of sulfur, and no fining or filtration is done at all.
