François & Francine Dhumes
Orcet - Auvergne
After studying oenology in Burgundy, François worked with various growers in the Rhône valley. Bored with more industrial winemaking he moved back to his native Auvergne and fell in with the band of natural winemakers that were establishing themselves there.
He bought some vines and with the help of Patrick Bouju and the Tricots began to make wine in a more natural way (he still does some work for both of these growers to fund his own winemaking). François has a smattering of vines (4 ha) on the hill of Corent overlooking the river Allier planted with Gamay d’Auvergne and Chardonnay on limestone and basalt. In 2017 Francois built a new cellar and home in Orcet and now makes wine there with the help of his partner Francine.
Producer:François Dhumes
Region: Auvergne, France
Grapes: Chardonnay, Eau de Vie, Gentian
Style: White / Spirits
Size: 75cl bottle
Alc.: 17%
Notes: A delightful ratafia by the Dhumes, made in the style of a mistelle. Two-thirds Chardonnay juice (from their Nuit Blanche plot) from the 2024 harvest, fortified with a third of eau de vie made in 2022 that was infused with wild gentiane. Invigorating tonic bitterness, with notes of pink peppercorns, young root ginger, and a long honeyed finish. Delicious on its own (or with an ice cube), and mixed into cocktails!