Martin, Yves

  • Sancerre, Loire, France
Domaine Yves Martin

Domaine Yves Martin is a small, family-run estate with nineteen hectares of vines in the famed town of Chavignol. The winemaker, Pierre Martin, took over from his father Yves in 2005.

The domaine is in conversion to organic viticulture; they never use herbicides or pesticides. The subsoil here is Kimmeridgian marl and the top soil is very stoney. They grow vines in each of the two famous terroirs of Chavignol: “caillottés,” which is stony and chalky; and “terres blanches,” which is composed of clay and limestone.

The winery is located in the center of Chavignol and is gravity fed. All fermentation happens spontaneously in thermo-regulated tanks. Most of the wines are aged in stainless steel (although a couple of the cuvées are aged partially in barrels) and all are aged on the fine lees, lending a nice richness to the wines. The result is mineral-laden, refreshing Sancerre with citrusy lime notes and a lingering finish.

Image Producer PRODUCT Description Country / Region

DB3792-22
Sustainable
Martin, Yves Sancerre La Côte des Monts Damnés
2022
Sauvignon Blanc
From one of Sancerre's most famous single-vineyard sites. La Cote des Monts Damnes has very steep slopes with south, south-east exposure...
France

DB1368-22
Sustainable
Martin, Yves Sancerre Chavignol "Clos de Beaujeu"
2022
Sauvignon Blanc
The Clos de Beaujeu vineyard in Chavignol is one of the most famous sites in all of Sancerre. It has very steep slopes, steeper and Mont...
France

DB6952-23
Sustainable
Martin, Yves Sancerre Chavignol
2023
Sauvignon Blanc
Pierre counts himself lucky as 70% of his vineyards for the Chavignol Blanc are south facing. The hillsides are not as steep as Beaujeu or...
France

DB2780-22
Sustainable
Martin, Yves Sancerre Rouge
2022
Pinot Noir
Martin's Pinot Noir vines are planted on the same hill as the Clos de Beaujeu vineyard, but the site is north facing. The vines were...
France

DB1348-23
Sustainable
Martin, Yves Sancerre Chavignol Rosé
2023
Pinot Noir
About 85-90% press-wine, blended with a little bit of saignée. Yves Martin’s “nothing added; nothing taken away” fermentation yields a...
France