Two dreams came true
WINE VIRUS
In 2000, the wine virus struck and Hervé Ravera planted 500m of vineyard with gamay. His journey is a unique blend of passion, learning, and unexpected turns, making it a one-of-a-kind narrative. In 2002, he followed the wine growing course in Mâcon, worked for 2 years with Biodynamist Marc Guillemot and learned in the Jura how to handle a plough horse. Despite these experiences, he became a nurse in Lyon. In the maternity ward, love struck and he married midwife Adeline. The dream of one day making wine himself remained, a unique aspiration in his profession.
PHILLIPPE JAMBON
At an organic wine festival, he met the well-known winemaker Philippe Jambon. The conversation was warm and inspiring, and he received a great tip. In the Beaujolais, a domain was for sale in the mountains of Marchampt. The house, the cellars, and the vineyards were bought, and Hervé was able to take over a hundred-year-old press from the grandfather of Christian Ducroux. The Domaine Le Grain de Sénevé was born in 2007.
WORRYING ABOUT NOTHING
It's a big step, and nothing can go wrong. Hervé cannot afford to make a mistake. Initially, on advice, part of the wine is sulphured and filtered, and nitrogen is added. Still, later, Hervé discovers that the unfiltered and unsulphured part that initially had a problem with the aromas had restored itself in the bottle. He feels he must have confidence in his work and stop worrying about nothing. After all, he uses healthy grapes from fantastic volcanic soil, a mix of slate and sand strewn with old stones.
REGGAE NIGHT
He works the steep, south-facing slopes, 500m above sea level, entirely biodynamically with the help of his draught horse Reggae Night. This commitment to organic and biodynamic practices is not just a choice, but a way of life for Hervé. From that moment on, Hervé neither clarifies nor filters, adds nothing more, uses no sulphur dioxide and avoids pumping. His aversion to chemical additives means he refuses to use nitrogen in his tanks, opting for a more natural and hands-on approach to winemaking.
BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU
Hervé's wines are unconventional, defying the norms of the region. They stand out from the heavily extracted, voluminous wines other producers produce or the fruity style associated with Beaujolais Nouveau. They are serious wines with a great balance between transparency and purity. All the wines are easy to drink, but not without a bit of thought, a unique characteristic that sets them apart. Their unique characteristics will leave you intrigued and eager to taste them.
COURAGE AND FLAIR
The two best-known cuvées are 500m and Roue Libre, which come from plots on either side of his house. 500m is the higher plot, which tends to show tighter fruit than Roue Libre, but the difference is minimal. The micro cuvée' Vos Lettres sont Irrésistibles' is controversial and is only bottled in magnum. Ad Semper and Pierre de Faite are new cuvées from recently acquired plots. Ravera's wines are convinced with guts and flair, and when they are on, they sing out of the glass with tense black fruit and mineral shine. Hervé Ravera is a man after our hearts—serious, hardworking, honest, modest and sympathetic. His personal and professional achievements are a testament to his dedication and passion for winemaking.
TWO DREAMS CAME TRUE
Two years ago, Adeline gave up her job in healthcare because the great adventure
in the vineyard called her. Two dreams came true.
