After two difficult harvests, Loire Valley is optimistic as 2014 vintage starts

By Erin Smith

Published: 18 September, 2014

Despite a cool August, September's warm weather could not come at a better time for producers in the Loire Valley, where there is a feeling of optimism and relief as the harvest gets underway.

Many of the region's producers have suffered at the hands of frost and hail in the past two years, and are relying on the 2014 vintage to boost stocks.

Gilles Gaudron of Domaine Sylvain Gaudron in Vouvray said: "The 2014 harvest had very little problems. The vines are healthy and things were very regular. July was warm although it rained. But August was cold, however it doesn't affect the berries and September has been warm." Gaudron expects harvest for him to kick off on September 29.

Gaurdon admits he was "very lucky" not to have been hit by hail last year that did hurt other local producers.

Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau in the Loire Valley Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau, Loire ValleyDomaine Vigneau-Chevreau is optimistic about the 2014 harvest after two very challenging years.

Stefan Vigneau from Domain Vigneau-Chevreau said, "For the 2014 harvest August was not good, but September has been very good and it is the most important month for maturation." Vigneau is optimistic about this year's harvest and he needs a good yielding crop. In 2012, the fifth generation winemaker lost 50% of his production to frost and in 2013 he lost 50% of his production to hail. He needs a good harvest this year, as his stocks are depleted and is hoping that it will come in. Vigneau has been farming biodynamically and organically for 18 years.

Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau is optimistic about the 2014 harvest after two very challenging years.

Vigneau is not the only producer who needs a good harvest, Luc Delhumeau from Domaine de Brizé in the village of Martigne-Briand near Saumur said: "The 2014 harvest is looking very promising and we need the stock. Over the last two harvests, I am basically missing an entire year's worth of volume."

Delhumeau, who runs the business with his sister, is a fifth generation winemaker on his family's land.

Laurent Onillon from Langlois Chateau in Saumur said, "Monday was the first day of harvest for us. We are very lucky to have the sun this month. It has been ideal conditions. My fingers are crossed for a good vintage."

Onillon emphasised the importance of the the health of the vines and 2014 is right on track. This is good news as Onillion's philosophy is one in which "most of the work is done in the vineyard. So it is important."

Pierre Charon, winemaker at Ackerman, said: "In August we had a bit of rot on our Chardonnay. But the September sun dried it completely and it really helped with the ripeness." Ackerman started its harvest on Friday September 12.

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