ABOUT: Nicolas Joly is easily the most recognized promoter of biodynamic methods in wine, and the wine he makes is absolutely a cut above. He’s been making white wines from Chenin Blanc in the Loire Valley at his place in Savennieres since the late 1970’s. Due to minimal human intervention in the winery, the wines frame each vintage with fascinating detail. He truly lets things run wild, there is no temperature control and fermentation with natural yeasts can take months. Wines are aged for less than a year in tank or barrel with only a few rackings. Chenin Blanc handles this with grace and raucous character. It’s known to be fussy in the vineyard but rugged in the winery, and the results are never what you expect. Nicolas Joly wines are always a delightful surprise, not for everyone but definitely for us.