Michel Autran

Michel Autran, former doctor, decided wine might be more his thing. Some people buy a convertible Porsche, while others learn about Chenin Blanc from some renowned winemakers in order to make their own. Michel, like many natural winemakers, left another career behind in the early part of the 2000s to chase a new one in the vines. He worked for other winemakers but it wasn’t until 2011 that he found some vines to call his own. Chenin, Chenin, Chenin! Dry and crisp, flinty limestone, Michel Autran’s vines are old, at least 50 years, and the result is rare and magical. The vines are located on a steep enough grade that when he needs some extra help horsepower, he actually uses a horse to help with some work in the vineyards. Michel is in the Loire, more specifically in Vouvray, and if you know your French wine sub-regions, you’ll know that Chenin Blanc is to Vouvray as Sauvignon Blanc is to Sancerre.