Owner/winemaker Mathieu Vallée has run the estate since 2006; he is the brother of winemaker Gerald Vallée. Mathieu learned the craft from his very knowledgeable and talented brother; their styles are somewhat similar-complex, layered wines with great density of fruit but exemplary finesse on the palate. The estate maintains about half its acreage to Cabernet Franc, and half to Chenin Blanc-most vines are older (40+ years). Soils are mixed clay-chalk; all field work is organic and done by hand. In short, Chateau Yvonne wines are simply the best examples of Saumur and Saumur-Champigny; they are produced in very small quantities, and are truly artisanal offerings.