Natacha Chave, sister of renowned winemaker Yann Chave, studied philosophy before eventually following her brother into the wonderful realm of Syrah. Instead of joining her parents and Yann at their Domaine, she purchased small plots in Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage. Aléofane translates as a “gem of truth” and is a reflection of Natacha’s expression of Syrah. She made her first vintage in 2004. It’s a manual labour of love, all her vineyard work is meticulously done by hand and everything is organic, with sulphur use being kept to an absolute minimum and indigenous yeasts used. The wines are bottled with no fining or filtration. When combating problems in the vineyard, she prepares her own holistic treatments from spices, oils, and plants. The St Joseph is from vines near Tournon in the south of the appellation, organically farmed and planted on granite,matured for 12 months in demi-muids and barrique. The Crozes Hermitage is from 50-year old vines grown on alluvial-clay and galets. It sees the same 12 months maturation, this time exclusively in 600 Lt demi-muids.
