| Since its founding in 1928, Vouvray’s Domaine Huet has been the standard-bearer for great, ageworthy Chenin Blanc. And to this day, year after year, the estate produces some of the world’s most compelling white wines-and in a remarkable range that spans sparkling, dry, semi-dry, and breathtaking dessert styles. The domaine’s founder, Victor Huet, was a Parisian bistro owner. However, with lungs and nerves shattered by his experiences in WWI, Victor re-settled to the town of Vouvray in France’s beautiful Loire Valley. He soon purchased the first of his great vineyards, Le Haut-Lieu, in 1928, and Domaine Huet was born. Victor’s son Gaston (born 1910) worked with his father from the beginning, and assumed full charge by 1937. With an obsessive devotion to quality, and an engaging showman’s personality, Gaston built the Huet legacy over the next 55 years, despite spending five years in a German POW camp during WWII. The Grand Crus: For all his salesmanship, Gaston understood clearly that quality must come first-and that quality started with great vineyards. His Haut-Lieu parcel, which lies on Vouvray’s “Premiere Cote” (or “first slope”), is home to virtually all of the appellation’s acknowledged grand cru vineyards. As the estate prospered in the post-WWII era, Gaston secured two additional prime vineyards on the Premiere Cote that would ensure the domaine’s stature: Le Mont (purchased in 1957) and Clos du Bourg (farmed since 1953, purchased in 1963). Collectively, these three vineyards, and the wines made from them, account for Huet being the greatest of all Vouvray producers. The Team: In 1971, Gaston was joined by his talented son-in-law, Noel Pinguet. Together, they crafted legendary wines from their three parcels-with the vineyards and nature dictating which grapes would become Sec, Demi- Sec, or Moelleux. The estate always held back significant stocks of older vintages, and these wines’ near immortality has helped to further the Huet legend. By 1979, Jean-Bernard Berthome joined the estate, first working in the vineyards with his parents who were the original vineyard managers at Huet, and then as Pinguet’s right hand in the cellar. His experiences in all aspects of viticulture and winemaking lay the groundwork for his future role at the estate. But first things first. . . In 2002, with Gaston ailing, a financial partner was needed to ensure the continuation of the estate’s rich legacy. Anthony Hwang, a Filipino-born, New York businesmsman (and long-time sweet wine collector) was brought into the partnership. Gaston passed away that year, but, with the security and enthusiasm brought by Tony, Noel Pinguet was able to continue Gaston’s important work up until his retirement in 2009. Today: With Huet veteran Jean-Bernard Berthome at the helm, coupled with the endless support and passion of second generation siblings Sarah & Hugo Hwang, Domaine Huet may be making its most consistently great wines. As was one of the earliest adopters of biodynamic practices, and with years of experience working with the appellation’s greatest terroirs, Jean-Bernard and his team are achieving a fascinating level of transparency, purity, and knife-edged balance in the wines. |
